Rome – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal O’Brien, the former Archbishop for St Andrews and Edinburgh. O’Brien had been under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a first for the Roman Catholic Church since 1927, Cardinal O’Brien will be removed from public life and has renounced all the right and privileges, which come with his position. The decision was taken following a meeting between O’Brien and the pope.

“The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the rights and privileges of a Cardinal, after a long period of prayer,” announced the Vatican in a statement.

Cardinal O’Brien had previously resigned from his position as Archbishop for St Andrews and Edinburgh in March 2013, after an investigation into his behaviour was launched by Pope Francis. This followed allegations of sexual misconduct against O’Brien, from three priests and one former priest.

“I wish to repeat the apology which I made to the Catholic Church and the people of Scotland some two years ago now on 3rd March 2013,” said O’Brien in a statement on Friday. “I said then that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me. For that I am deeply sorry. I will continue to play no part in the public life of the Church in Scotland; and will dedicate the rest of my life in retirement, praying for those I have offended in any way.”

The investigation was handled by Francis’s envoy Archbishop Charles Scicluna, who reported his findings to the pope last week.