Monsignor Leo Cushley has been formally ordained as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

He was ordained by US Cardinal James Harvey in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Saturday morning.  

The two are former colleagues, having worked closely together in the diplomatic service.  Archbishop Cushley also served under Cardinal Harvey in the Holy See's Secretariat of State.  

Commenting on the Ordination, Cardinal Harvey said: "I am delighted and honoured to part of this historic moment in the life of the Church of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

"Archbishop Cushley brings many gifts of mind and heart to his new office. I am convinced that these gifts, suitable for prudent pastoral governance, will redound to the good of this Archdiocese and beyond."

Assisting the service was Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, and Apostolic Nuncio to the UK, Archbishop Antonio Mennini.

Guests included Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Lorna Hood.  

Episcopal Bishop of Edinburgh, Bishop John Armes, and the British Ambassador to the Holy See,
Nigel Baker, together with Catholic Bishops of Scotland and other civic and religious dignitaries were also in attendance.

Archbishop Cushley was appointed new Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh by Pope Francis on 24 July and becomes the eighth Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy in 1878.

His most recent role before becoming Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh was serving as head of the English-language section of the Vatican's Secretariat of State, in which role he accompanied Pope Benedict XVI to English-speaking countries, including his official visit to the UK in 2010.

He replaces Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned earlier this year after admitting inappropriate sexual behaviour.

At the time of his appointment, Archbishop Cushley said "reconciliation and healing among the Catholics of Edinburgh" would be a priority for him in his new role.

"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. 

In his address today he elaborated on this further, saying that Pope Francis in their recent meeting together exhorted him to be "merciful".  

"Mother Theresa was once asked famously: 'If there was one thing you could do to change the Church, what would you change?' And she replied simply: 'Change myself'.

"This is surely how we can cooperate with God's grace to renew our joy in living the Gospel of love and forgiveness that is Christ's message to us from the Cross.

"It will no doubt take time and patience for us to see results, but with God's grace and with goodwill towards each other, we will live to rejoice again in our common service of Christ. And so, as we begin this journey together, please pray for me and for all your priests and give us your blessing."