SCOTLAND
Scottish Catholic Media Office
Wednesday 27th February 2013
Pope Appoints Apostolic Administrator
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed the Most Rev. Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow, as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. With immediate effect, Archbishop Tartaglia will govern the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh until a new Archbishop is appointed.
Archbishop Tartaglia said: “These are painful and distressing times for the Archdiocese, I also feel pained and distressed. With the grace of God, I will do my very best to oversee and govern the Archdiocese until the appointment of a new Archbishop. I ask for your prayers.”
ENDS
Peter Kearney
Director
Catholic Media Office
5 St. Vincent Place
Glasgow
G1 2DH
0141 221 1168
07968 122291
pk@scmo.org
www.scmo.org
Notes for Editors
1.With the resignation of Cardinal O’Brien, the Archdiocese of Edinburgh is canonically a “Vacant See” and will remain so until the appointment of a new Archbishop. The Apostolic Administrator governs until that time.
2. The Apostolic Administrator governs with the authority, obligations and rights of a diocesan bishop.
3. Cardinal O’Brien is now the Archbishop Emeritus of St Andrews and Edinburgh. An Archbishop or Bishop Emeritus has no role in the governance of a diocese.
4. Bishop Stephen Robson will remain as Auxiliary Bishop and will assist Archbishop Tartaglia as his Delegate in the running of the diocese. The office of Vicar General and Vicar Episcopal lapse during the time of the vacant see, as do the Council of Priests and the Pastoral Council. The Offices of Chancellor and Treasurer remain, as does the College of Consultors as an Advisory Council.
5. When there is a vacant see, the diocese is governed by a diocesan administrator who is elected by a group of priests; or by An Apostolic Administrator who is appointed by the Pope. An Apostolic Administrator is often chosen for the governance of an archdiocese/diocese when the see becomes vacant before a new archbishop/ bishop can be appointed.
6. Contrary to some reports, the Apostolic Administrator will not be invited to be involved in any Vatican investigation into the allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien.
7. Archbishop Tartaglia will not be available for interview, but he will release a message to the people of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh later today (Wednesday 27 February)
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