MY friend, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, now faces a tribunal which none of us will escape ("Pope to have final word on plans for funeral of disgraced cardinal". The Herald, March 20, and Obituary, March 20).

Were I his Counsel for the Defence I would want it taken into account that very few bishops have had the courage and common sense to challenge, on moral grounds, the policies of the nuclear weapon establishment – as he did.

In his view the use of such weapons would mean mass murder and so-called deterrence means an ongoing willingness to do just that.

He was as clear on such matters in his time as is Pope Francis today.

That he failed to live up to the sexual standards to which he was committed, as he himself admitted, is both sad and damaging.

It is time now to acknowledge also the good he did and to pray that he may rest in peace.

Bruce Kent,

Vice-President, CND,

11 Venetia Road, London.