Pope Francis gave a clear indication that he was taking the offences
of Cardinal Keith O'Brien seriously when he effectively exiled him from
Scotland in May 2013. Now, by accepting his resignation and clarifying the extent to which
Cardinal O'Brien has been stripped of his duties, the pontiff has
effectively found him guilty of the sexual misconduct he has already
admitted to.
It is important to remember that the offences concerned were between adults and have not resulted in any police charges or convictions. In many ways, Cardinal O'Brien's greatest sin was hypocrisy, given his willingness to pronounce on the undesirability of gay marriage and relationships, while making advances to junior priests in private.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/popes-verdict-on-cardinal-an-essential-step-towards-rebuilding-trust.121185664
It is important to remember that the offences concerned were between adults and have not resulted in any police charges or convictions. In many ways, Cardinal O'Brien's greatest sin was hypocrisy, given his willingness to pronounce on the undesirability of gay marriage and relationships, while making advances to junior priests in private.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/popes-verdict-on-cardinal-an-essential-step-towards-rebuilding-trust.121185664