Vatican official to succeed Scotland’s Cardinal O’Brien

July 24, 2013

Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Leo Cushley, who leads the English-language section of the Vatican Secretariat of State, as Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.

Msgr. Cushley succeeds Cardinal Keith O’Brien, whose resignation was accepted on February 25 amid reports of homosexual misconduct. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow has been serving temporarily as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese.

Born in 1961, Msgr. Cushley was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Motherwell in 1985. He holds advanced degrees in liturgy and canon law.

After serving as a school chaplain and parochial vicar, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See. Since 1997, he has served in Egypt, Burundi, Portugal, New York (at the United Nations), and South Africa.

“I am humbled that our Holy Father Pope Francis has nominated me for such an important task here in our ancient capital,” Msgr. Cushley said in a statement quoted by The Catholic Herald. “I know it’s a delicate moment and that there is a lot to be done, but with God’s grace and the kind support of the clergy and people of Edinburgh, I will work cheerfully and willingly with all the energy I can muster.”

“It is my sincere hope to do this always in truth and in charity, with a view to reconciliation and healing among the Catholics of Edinburgh,” he added. “My first task is to preach the good news, Christ crucified and risen from the dead, to confirm my brother priests in their Catholic faith and ministry, and to be a loving, simple, wise shepherd to the flock that has been entrusted to me.”

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce e Nomine (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope names Vatican official as successor to Cardinal Keith O’Brien (Catholic Herald)
• Vatican confirms Cardinal O'Brien will leave Scotland (CWN, 5/15)