Archbishop Leo Cushley appeared on BBC Radio Scotland this morning (Wednesday 29 July) to reflect on the responsibility of leadership in government. Watch below or on YouTube. Full transcript at bottom.
Thought for the Day – Archbishop Leo Cushley
More than a week has passed since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
A new Cabinet has been assembled, policies are beginning to take shape, and the serious business of governing has begun.
The Catholic Bishops of Scotland wrote to the Prime Minister to offer our congratulations and, above all, our prayers.
Whatever our political views, that might seem an unusual thing to do.
But for Christians, praying for those entrusted with public office is not about endorsing policies or parties. It is about recognising the weight of responsibility that leadership carries.
Andy Burnham is the first Prime Minister to be born and raised a Catholic.
That makes this a notable moment, not because faith should confer privilege, but because it reminds us that public life can be informed by enduring moral principles.
Catholic social teaching begins with a simple conviction: every human person possesses an inherent dignity.
From that flows a concern for the poor, the vulnerable and those who too often find themselves at the margins of society. These are not simply religious ideals; they are values that can enrich our common life, whatever our beliefs.
Good leadership demands wisdom, courage, patience and, perhaps above all, a willingness to place the common good ahead of personal interest.
The decisions taken by a Prime Minister affect families worrying about the cost of living, young people seeking opportunity, older people needing care, and communities longing for peace and stability.
Our tradition reminds us that authority is ultimately a form of service. Jesus himself told his disciples that “whoever wishes to be first among you must be the servant of all.”
So today, I will be praying for those who govern us: that they may be granted wisdom in difficult decisions, integrity in public life, compassion for those in greatest need, and the humility always to seek the common good above all else.
And whether or not you share my faith, I hope we can all wish for those same qualities in our leaders.
Thought for the Day broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday 29 July 2026.
