Leo Cushley names principal consecrators for next month's ordination

Mgr Leo Cushley

The Archbishop-elect of St Andrews and Edinburgh has announced the bishops who will be the traditional three principal consecrators at his episcopal ordination next month.

Monsignor Leo Cushley was named last month as the successor to Cardinal Keith O'Brien and his ordination will take place in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on 21 September.

Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Patriarchal Basilica of St Paul-outside-the Walls, will be the principal consecrator and principal celebrant of the Mass.

Cardinal Harvey, from Wisconsin in the US, was Mgr Cushley's first superior in the Secretariat of State and is a long-time colleague in the diplomatic service.

Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, and the Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia, in his capacity as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, will be the two other principal consecrators.

Mgr Cushley was assured of the prayers of Pope Francis during a meeting between the two last Tuesday.

"It was encouraging and very heartening to learn how well the Holy Father knows and appreciates the situation of the Archdiocese and its priests and people," said Mgr Cushley.

"He promised willingly to pray for all of us and at the end of a very cordial meeting asked for our prayers in return, which I promised him in everyone's name."