St. Andrews rejects suggestion to revoke honorary degree for Cardinal O'Brien

September 11, 2015

Scotland's oldest university has rejected a suggestion that it should rescind an honorary degree awarded to Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned in disgrace in 2013 after admitting to sexual misconduct.

The University of St. Andrews, which had honored Cardinal O'Brien in 2004 with a doctorate in divinity, said that revoking the award would be an "empty gesture." The university issued a statement saying that an honorary degree is given "in good faith on the basis of evidence available at a point in time," and "revocation cannot change or ameliorate the wrongs of the past."

 

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Keith O'Brien's honorary degree will not be revoked (BBC)