Tests Ahead for Cardinal's Successor

Herald Scotland
September 18, 2013

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/tests-ahead-for-cardinals-successor.22183096

MAN OF FAITH: Airdrie-born Monsignor Leo Cushley will be ordained as Archbishop in Edinburgh on Saturday.

MONSIGNOR Leo Cushley, the man appointed to succeed shamed Cardinal Keith O'Brien, is 'looking forward' to taking on arguably the most fraught position in the UK's Christian churches.

Now just days away from what the Catholic church hopes will bring down the curtain on one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history in Scotland, Mgr Cushley will be ordained as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburh on at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Principal consecrators will be Cardinal James Michael Harvey of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, UK Papal Nuncio Antonio Mennini and Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow.

Mgr Cushley will next week begin individual conversations with the 100-plus priests in the Archdiocese. He is also expected to ask those priests who accused Cardinal O'Brien of sexual behaviour against them if they are maintaining celibacy.

With Cardinal O'Brien maintaining pockets of support across the Archdiocese and Mgr Cushley stating at the weekend that O'Brien should not return to Scotland, he will need to mend a church broken locally, as well as being at a low ebb nationally.

Other issues facing the Airdrie-born former Vatican diplomat include opening the books on allegations of historic abuse and a possible shake-up of the Bishop's Conference.

A spokesman said: "We are looking forward with some excitement and anticipation to the installation of Monsignor Cushley as Archbishop this weekend.

"It comes against a backdrop of nearly 20 years in the diplomatic service. He now finds himself back on home turf, somewhere where he least expected to be."