The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cushley keen for church to move on
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 Archbishop of St A ndrews 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 September 21.
The 52-year-old 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,” Mgr Cushley said.
“I think (the church) has taken a bit of battering. I think that is fair. But also, as I said before, I think the fundamentals are good and they are right.”
He added that he has “very little knowledge” about Cardinal O’Brien’s situation, other than what he has read in the press.