The Holy See issued the following statement this morning on the dispostion of Scotland's Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who retired abruptly after admitting in March that his "sexual conduct" had "fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal":

His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Andrews and  Edinburgh, for the same reasons he decided not to participate in the last  Conclave, and in agreement with the Holy Father, will be leaving Scotland for several months for the purpose of spiritual renewal, prayer and penance. Any decision regarding future arrangements for His Eminence shall be agreed with  the Holy See.