( CNN ) -- A Scottish cardinal who had earlier challenged allegations of sexual impropriety -- claims that once again shined an international spotlight on alleged sexual abuse involving Roman Catholic clergy -- reversed course Sunday and apologized . `` 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 , '' Cardinal Keith O'Brien said in a statement . Until days ago , O'Brien was the archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh . He has been dogged by allegations he abused four men studying to be priests in the 1980s . `` In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public . Initially , their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them , '' O'Brien said . `` To those I have offended , I apologize and ask forgiveness . '' O'Brien , 74 , also apologized to `` the Catholic Church and people of Scotland . '' He did not explain exactly what `` conduct '' he was referring to . O'Brien told Pope Benedict XVI in November that he would resign effective his upcoming birthday , on March 17 . But Benedict decided to make the resignation effective immediately in light of the pope 's imminent resignation , the Scottish Catholic Media Office said . According to his biography on his archdiocese 's website , O'Brien asked to step down in light of his `` approaching ... 75th birthday ( and ) health concerns . '' Meanwhile , he had been thrust into the ongoing story about sexual abuse in the church after the British newspaper The Observer reported that three priests and one former priest , as long as 30 years ago , had accused O'Brien . The Observer did not recount the details of the claims or identify the men but said one of the priests alleged `` the cardinal developed an inappropriate relationship with him . '' The Scottish Catholic Media Office said then that O'Brien contested the claims and was `` taking legal advice . '' The same office released O'Brien 's new statement on Sunday . Born in Northern Ireland , O'Brien moved to Scotland as a child , graduating in 1959 from the University of Edinburgh . Ordained as a priest six years later at age 29 , he later held various positions -- including as a math and science teacher , as well as rector and spiritual director -- at schools in Scotland , in addition to working as a priest . He was named archbishop in 1985 and became a cardinal 18 years later . Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles , meanwhile , is facing fresh attention over what role he may have played in the cover-up of sexual abuse by priests . The Vatican has also been plagued by another scandal in recent days , as Benedict was ending his papacy . Two Italian publications said Benedict , 85 , resigned not because of his advanced age but because of a brewing scandal over the blackmail of gay priests by male prostitutes in Rome . Benedict received a 300-page report in December detailing the possible blackmail , la Repubblica newspaper and the Panorama news weekly reported , citing an unidentified senior Vatican official and dozens of unnamed sources . The Vatican emphatically denied the allegations , with Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone criticizing a rash of `` often unverified , unverifiable or completely false news stories '' as the cardinals prepare for their conclave to select a new pope . CNN 's Matt Smith , Laura Smith-Spark , Greg Botelho and Hada Messia contributed to this report .
Cardinal Keith O'Brien apologizes and asks forgiveness from those he `` offended '' He had previously contested the claims . O'Brien has not acknowledged any specific incidents . The Observer reported on accusations from priests dating back 30 years .