Cardinal Keith O'Brien 'did a lot of good'

The Pope's representative in the UK has praised the work of disgraced Cardinal Keith O'Brien.

Papal Nuncio Antonio Mennini said that although he had made mistakes, the cardinal had done a lot of good work for the church.

Cardinal O'Brien resigned in February after three priests and a former priest alleged improper conduct in the 1980s.

He has since left Scotland for "spiritual renewal, prayer and penance".

The Papal Nuncio said that "notwithstanding his mistake" the cardinal had done "a lot of good for the church".

He added: "We cannot judge the cardinal only for these very serious events, because in every person there is black and white, we have positive and negative."

He said it was hoped that a replacement to Cardinal O'Brien as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh would be appointed next month.

Three bishops

He said finding a replacement was a priority for the church.

Bishops will also be appointed to fill vacancies in Paisley and Dunkeld by the end of the summer, he added.

The Catholic Church currently has only three bishops in place serving its eight dioceses.

Cardinal O'Brien was Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric until he stood down as the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.