Don't Cry For Cardinal O'Brien

So the game is up. Cardinal Keith O'Brien may not have specifically admitted what he has been accused of but he has "apologised" for his sexual conduct falling "beneath the standards expected".

"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." 

"To those I have offended, I apologise and ask forgiveness. To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise."   

"I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic Church in Scotland."

It did not take long for some LGBT commentators to suddenly feel sorry for him. As with Nigel Evans, it doesn't take long for an opponent to be taken to our bosom just because they are gay (although let's be honest, Cardinal O'Brien is probably not "gay". For once "suffering from same sex attraction" might be appropriate)

Cardinal O'Brien is more a victim of homophobia than a perpetrator of it. He deserves compassion, not jeering
— Johann Hari (@johannhari101) March 3, 2013

Cardinal O'Brien hasn't just been accused of having a bit of a roll in the hay when he shouldn't have. His accusers have suggested inappropriate sexual advances. Does Lord Rennard deserve our compassion more than jeering (Christians need not answer this one)? Can you imagine anyone being allowed to suggest something like that if the victims had been female? No. But because he was doing it to people of the same sex, and has now come clean, suddenly he is deserving of our compassion??

This man preached hate against us for many years. He has admitted to sexual misconduct and he is accused of far worse. If he gets to live a quiet retirement out of the public gaze then he should count himself lucky. He doesn't need any further compassion from us.

That sad little man will sadly not get what he really deserves in the afterlife. Sometimes being an atheist really does suck.