I will serve the people of Edinburgh ” “

  He had a half-hour personal colloquium with Pope Francis before leaving for Edinburgh, to become its new Archbishop: the news was released by Msgr. Leo Cushley, whose Episcopal ordination in the Scottish archdiocese will take place Saturday September 21st at St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh. On the day marking the feast of St. Mathew, the same day when, 17 years ago, Pope Francis discovered his religious vocation, Msgr. Cushley takes the lead of a Church strongly wounded by scandals which involved Archbishop Cardinal Keith O’Brian, accused of “inappropriate acts”. Now Edinburgh wants to start anew, and look at the future. To the newly appointed Archbishop Pope Francis spoke of his experience in Buenos Aires, and reminded him his motto “Miserando atque eligendo”, inviting him to “be merciful” and “firm”. Scottish by birth, Msgr. Cushley received his priestly ordination in Uddingston, south Lanarkshire. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome and served as priest in the diocese of Motherwell before returning to the capital, where he served for twenty years in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, becoming responsible of the English section of the Secretary of State. Silvia Guzzetti interviewed him for SIR Europe. How do you feel on the eve of your Episcopal ordination? “Over the past few days I looked back at my whole life. The appointment by the Holy Father took me by surprise. Indeed, as Holy See diplomat, I did expect I would be sent abroad in a difficult country, far from Rome. But it did not happen. This appointment has changed my life. To be appointed nuncio and ambassador of the Holy See, promoting the relations with local churches is one thing, which is not like being archbishop and shepherd of a local church”. Has the Scotland you used to know changed much after 20 years? “It changed a lot. Now there’s a parliament in Edinburgh. Scotland is not yet a sovereign country, but it expresses itself differently compared to twenty years ago. There is a greater feeling of autonomy coupled by the need to not let others decide its policies. At ecclesial level the entire hierarchy ought to be redone because there are four vacant dioceses. Half of the Catholic Church is awaiting a shepherd. We have to start from the youth, people my age and younger. From now on, and for the next two-three years it will be a time of change for this Church. I look forward to this time with joy and with a feeling of renewal of our mission and of Gospel proclamation”. What has been the impact of Pope Francis on the Scottish Church after so much suffering? “The Pope was very welcoming with me. We spoke for half an hour of the Church in Scotland and Francis displayed a remarkable knowledge of the situation. During our meeting I saw in him – whom I have come to know over the past months during my service at the Secretariat of State – the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. It was a surprise to see that his past nurtures his new Papal role, which is enriching the Church in the whole world”. What did Francis say? “He asked me about my projects for the Archdiocese of St. Andrew and Edinburgh, and at the same time he mentioned his motto ‘Miserando atque eligendo’ speaking of mercy which as shepherd I am called to bring to the priests and to the faithful. He told me to be ‘merciful’ but to understand mercifulness in a way that it is being gentle and firm because this is the twofold role of a good shepherd”. Has the “Pope effect” been felt also in Scotland? “It has indeed. The Scottish Church is very faithful and close to the Holy Father and to the Church of Rome. When I accompanied Pope Benedict in his visitation to England and Scotland I witnessed the richness of that relationship”. What is the prominent feature of the faithful in Edinburgh you will build upon? “Their generosity, especially towards the strangers, which is typical of a peripheral Celtic culture. I am sure that I will experience it too. I will feel at home”.