Archbishop Appointee Is "Right Choice"

By Stef Lach
Evening Times
July 25, 2013

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/archbishop-appointee-is-right-choice-131416n.21692705

Monsignor Leo Cushley, the new Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, was born in Airdrie

Airdrie man Monsignor Leo Cushley was ?appointed Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh by the Roman Catholic Church, ?replacing Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who left the post this year after admitting inappropriate sexual conduct.

In taking over from Cardinal O'Brien, Mgr Cushley, 52, is stepping into the role at a difficult time for the Catholic Church in Scotland.

People who knew him as a chaplain at three Lanarkshire schools in the 1980s and 1990s – St Aidan's High in Wishaw, Our Lady's High in Motherwell and St Margaret's High in Airdrie – describe him as, "highly intelligent, kind and thoughtful, just decent" and add that "he can be very witty."

Liz Leydon, editor of the Scottish Catholic Observer, said: "That personal touch bodes well for what lies ?ahead for the archbishop-elect.

"Leo Cushley is a respected and well-liked priest, who, according to his fellow clergymen 'has all the qualities you would want from ?an Archdiocesan archbishop'."

James Welsh is deputy head at St Aidan's High in Wishaw.

He has been at the school for 35 years and worked with Mgr Cushley when he was chaplain there.

Mr Welsh said: "Leo was always a very ?approachable chaplain and liked to get into the classroom.

"He is very much someone who young people relate to."

Mgr Cushley said: "I am humbled that our Holy Father Pope ?Francis has nominated me for such an important task.

"I think the Church has taken a bit of battering. I think that is fair.

"The priests and the people are very anxious to move on."

Born in Airdrie to Bill and Eileen Cushley, Mgr Cushley has a brother Kenneth, an electrician, and sister, Carey, a teacher.

Cardinal O'Brien stepped down after 27 years in February when three priests and a former priest made allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him.

He later issued an apology, saying, "there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me."