Pope assigns aide to city’s cardinal

POPE Benedict has appointed an auxiliary bishop to assist Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Scotland’s most senior Catholic clergyman, in his role as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Monsignor Stephen Robson, parish priest of North Berwick and Dunbar, will help with administration of the diocese. The church said the appointment reflected the cardinal’s growing responsibilities.

Cardinal O’Brien said: “I have known the new auxiliary bishop for well over 35 years. He is highly respected by his brother priests and also by the deacons and the people of this archdiocese and beyond because of his open, friendly and pastoral zeal.

“Also, he combines his very personal manner with his own deep spirituality and academic learning – that he can bring to bear on a variety of problems – an incisive knowledge and an ability at decision making.”

Monsignor Robson, who has served at Holy Cross and St John Vianney, both in Edinburgh, and at St Theresa’s in East Calder, will be ordained as bishop in St Mary’s on June 9.