UK sex scandal a 'serious blow' The resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien has has dealt the Scottish church a 'serious blow'. THE resignation of Britain's top Catholic cleric over claims of sexual misconduct has dealt the Scottish church a "serious blow," his replacement says. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned last week as the head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, admitted on Sunday that his sexual conduct had "fallen below the standards expected of me." Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who has temporarily taken over O'Brien's role as administrator of the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and St Andrews, on Monday told an evening mass that it was "a sad moment for the church in our country." "The events around Cardinal O'Brien, his resignation, his statement of yesterday, have left us all very sad for everyone involved and for the Church," he said. Many reproaches have been aimed at the Church and at individuals over this matter. The most stinging charge which has been levelled against us in this matter is hypocrisy - and for obvious reasons. I think there is little doubt that the credibility and moral authority of the Catholic Church in Scotland has been dealt a serious blow and we will need to come to terms with that. The 74-year-old O'Brien had been due to be the only British cardinal to vote on a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI following the pontiff's shock resignation on February 11. O'Brien resigned last week 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 in Sunday's statement.