Archbishop Leo Cushley. Picture by Bill Heaney
20 September 2021
Pope Francis is coming to Scotland for the climate change conference.
By Bill Heaney
Plans to relocate the Pontifical Scots College in Rome have been backed by Pope Francis.
Archbishop Leo Cushley met with the Holy Father at the Vatican on Saturday (18 September) to discuss the proposed move.
Speaking after the meeting, Archbishop Cushley said: “Pope Francis expressed his full support for the intentions of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland to move the college into Rome city centre.
“I was delighted to hear that and I know my fellow bishops will be too.”
The decision to relocate seminary, where young men in Scotland train for the priesthood, was announced in December after building upgrades were deemed too costly.
The college is on Via Cassia, around 10km from the city centre. The Bishops’ aim to sell the building and believe a more central location is the best option for the formation needs of the community and for future provision.
Archbishop Cushley added: “Saying goodbye, the Pope asked for our prayers for him, which I was happy to promise him on behalf of Scotland’s Catholics.”
Meanwhile, there is speculation that while he is in Glasgow, the Holy Father will announce the name of the new Archbishop of Glasgow, to succeed the late Archbishop Philip Tartaglia.
The fact that Archbishop Cushley has been in Rome for a pre climate change meeting has heightened speculation that it could be Archbishop Cushley, who is currently Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, will be made a cardinal.
Archbishop Cushley is a native of the West of Scotland and is a seasoned Vatican diplomat who was brought in to Edinburgh to succeed the late Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who was forced to resign amid considerable controversy.
Pope Francis greets the late Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, of Glasgow, who died suddenly during the Covid 19 pandemic.