SCOTLAND
The Guardian
Press Association
The Guardian, Wednesday 24 July 2013
The Catholic church can recover from “the battering” it has taken in recent months, according to Monsignor Leo Cushley, who is to succeed disgraced Cardinal Keith O’Brien as the archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
The priests and people are “anxious to move on” from the scandal involving Cardinal O’Brien, who left the post earlier this year after admitting inappropriate sexual conduct, Mgr Cushley said.
He said he would take stock of what happened within the governance of the archdiocese when he is ordained on 21 September.
The 52-year-old also expressed surprise at being appointed archbishop, given his background as part of the Vatican’s diplomatic team, although he described the challenges of his new role as “comparatively easy” compared with previous situations he has faced.
“I am humbled that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has nominated me for such an important task here in our ancient capital. 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,” he said.
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