A British cardinal has admitted his behaviour fell "below the standards expected of me" after allegations of sexual misconduct, reports AFP in the Herald Sun.
Keith O'Brien resigned last week after claims of sexual impropriety. In a statement, Cardinal O'Brien has also apologised "to those I have offended ... to the Catholic Church and people of Scotland".
Cardinal O'Brien resigned as head of the Catholic Church in Scotland on Monday in the wake of claims that he made sexual advances towards priests.
"In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public," said the cleric. "Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them.
"However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal," he added.
Cardinal O'Brien - who stepped down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh - initially denied the allegations, which date back to the 1980s.
FULL COVERAGE
Disgraced Scottish cardinal apologises (Herald Sun)
British cardinal apologises (Yahoo7)
Priest claims harsh treatment after cardinal behaviour allegations (Strathearn Herald)
Most cardinals compromised by abuse scandal, say victims (Brisbane Times)