Scottish Catholic Observer

Working most recently in the Vatican translation service, Mgr Cushley was literally at Pope Francis’s right hand when the newly elected Holy Father first addressed the College of Cardinals after being named Pontiff. During the 2010 Papal visit to Scotland, Mgr Cushley was amongst those travelling with the then Pope Benedict XVI as he made his way throughout the country.

As many of Mgr Cushley’s classmates and peers at the Vatican have been honoured for their loyal service with advancement and greater responsibility, it comes as no surprised that he has been called upon to return to Scotland with this Episcopal appointment, to join the hard-working hierarchy here and add his impressive skill set.

The archbishop-elect will have his work cut out in light of the recent crises within the Church in Scotland, and a great deal is being asked of him. His Grace will likely face an uphill struggle with morale and re-establishing the Church’s moral authority here. However, he will find a dedicated clergy, a loyal laity and a society in need of spiritual leadership looking to the Catholic Church for guidance. Challenges lie ahead with secularists and elected officials over marriage, assisted suicide, anti-Catholic bigotry and the future of Catholic education—to name but a few issues—but Rome, as it is often said, was not built in a day.

This Episcopal appointment has come quickly after the election of Pope Francis and bodes well for the remaining three dioceses out of Scotland’s eight that have empty bishops’ chairs—Motherwell, Paisley and Dunkeld. In addition, Bishop John Cunningham of Galloway turned 75 earlier this year and has submitted his resignation to the Vatican.

The winds of change are blowing through the Church in Scotland as what began as one of the youngest hierarchies in Europe retires and is rebuilt for the next few generations. It is in our human nature not to like change, in fact to fear it in many ways. But the appointment of Archbishop-elect Cushley, coming as it does as Pope Francis celebrates World Youth Day in Rio, marks a further changing of  the guard.

Therefore, we pray for those who have been called to serve the Church here in Scotland as priests and bishops and we pray for those whose service has come to an end. We pray for our parishes and we pray for our Church.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,


The courage to change the things I can,


And wisdom to know the difference.

Pic: Paul McSherry