Cardinal who told of shame at church child abuse is dead
The former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, died of cancer yesterday aged 85.
he served as the head of the Catholic Church in england and Wales for nine years after being appointed to the role in 2000, campaigning for Christianity in an increasingly atheist world.
however his later career was dogged by claims he had not done enough to combat allegations of child abuse in the Church. A formal inquiry cleared him of any blame, but he had spoken of his ‘shame’ at allowing a paedophile priest to continue working, and confessed he had been wrong not to force some Catholic schools to follow stricter guidelines.
The death of Cardinal MurphyO’Connor, who had been admitted to hospital last month, was announced yesterday by his successor, Cardinal Vincent Nichols. he said his predecessor died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family and friends.
he praised Cardinal MurphyO’Connor’s ‘zest for life’ and commitment to his faith, saying he was ‘loved by everyone that knew him’. ‘I saw him yesterday afternoon and ... we talked about his faith and his real, humble peace in the face of death,’ he told the BBC.
‘he knew in his heart that he was going to meet God ... and, as he said, “I am not afraid, I am peaceful, humble and trusting in God’s mercy”.’ Cardinal Nichols said Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor had not wanted to ‘linger’ after his health took a ‘defining turn’ in August.
he added: ‘he has not lingered – as one of my bishops said “he was texting the angels to tell them to get on with it”.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said of Cardinal MurphyO’Connor: ‘ his humility, sense and holiness made him a church leader of immense impact. In Cormac people saw something of Christ.
‘ he will be remembered with thanks and affection by all whose lives he touched. he was a great raconteur and story-teller, amusing, but always with a purpose.’
In a message published on the Catholic Church’s website last week, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said he had been ‘privileged’ to serve the diocese of Westminster.
he added: ‘At this time, the words I pray every night are never far from my thoughts, “Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit”. Please tell them that I am at peace and have no fear of what is to come.’
Cardinal Murphy- O’Connor was born in Reading in 1932 to Irish immigrant parents. he had five brothers, two of whom also became priests. he did not shy from controversy as he rose to head the Catholic Church, and was an outspoken figure – particularly on the issues of contraception and abortion, both of which he firmly opposed.
he was installed as the tenth Archbishop of Westminster in March 2000 and the following year was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.
his most difficult moments related to a priest under his supervision in the diocese of Arundel and Brighton, Michael hill, who was accused of child abuse. Then-bishop MurphyO’Connor accepted advice that hill should simply be moved to a new job that did not involve children. he was made chaplain of Gatwick airport – and duly went on to abuse more children. he was jailed in 1997.
The cardinal said of his failure to report the paedophile to police: ‘I don’t make any excuses. It was shameful. It’s very hard for a bishop, who’s told when he takes up that office, that a priest is your brother, you must help him, forgive him.
‘What we didn’t realise, as we should have done, was the grievous damage done to the victims.’