Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh
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Administration

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Complaints & Whistleblowing

Moderator of the Curia

The Moderator of the Curia, under the authority of the bishop, coordinates the exercise of the administrative duties and oversees those who hold offices and minister in diocesan administration. He must be a priest and is, usually, a vicar general.

The Moderator “should see that the operation is smooth and efficient, avoiding all unnecessary complexity or bureaucracy, and always directed towards its proper supernatural end.” (Apostolorum Successores, n. 177)

The Moderator of the Curia within the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is the Right Reverend Monsignor Patrick Canon Burke VG. Monsignor Burke is the Administrator of St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Edinburgh and Vicar General of the Archdiocese. A graduate of St Andrews University, he studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome and was ordained in 1991.

He has since served in parishes in West Lothian, Fife, Stirlingshire, and Edinburgh. Monsignor Burke worked in the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2005 to 2013. He has a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. He was appointed Moderator of the Curia in 2017.

The Right Reverend Monsignor Patrick Canon Burke VG

T: 0131 623 8900
F: 0131 623 8899
E: the.moderator@staned.org.uk

Chief Operating Officer

Elspeth Atkinson
The Chief Operating Officer reports to the Trustees of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh and supports them in their work of running the Archdiocese, which is a registered charity in Scots law.

Under the management of the Moderator of the Curia, the Chief Operating Officer manages all the employees of the Curia, including: Finance; Communications; Property; Mount Vernon Cemetery; Safeguarding; Chancery; Sponsor Licences; and Administration for the Archbishop and the Curia.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is Dr Elspeth Atkinson, who was appointed to the post in 2017. Before joining the Archdiocese, Elspeth was the Director of Macmillan Cancer Support for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Prior to that she held several senior roles including Head of Economic Development at the City of Edinburgh Council and Head of Rural Operations at Scottish Enterprise.

Elspeth Atkinson

T: 0131 623 8957
E: Elspeth.atkinson@staned.org.uk

Chancery

The chancery is the administrative branch of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Under the guidance of the Chancellor, it handles the official documents pertaining to the ecclesiastical affairs of the Archdiocese. The chancery also serves the Archdiocese in matters of canon law, the internal law of the Church. It grants marriage dispensations and responds to inquiries about marriages, although all matters concerning annulments are handled by the Scottish Catholic Interdiocesan Tribunal. The chancery also processes applications by priests and other religious workers from outside the European Economic Area who, according to UK immigration law, require a Sponsor Licence in order to work within the Archdiocese.

The Chancellor of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is the Very Reverend Scott Deeley BSc (Hons) STB JCL. A graduate of St Andrews University, Fr Deeley studied for the priesthood at the Royal Scots College and the Pontifical University of Salamanca. He was ordained to the holy priesthood in 2004. He has since served in parishes in Stirlingshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Lothian before becoming parish priest of St Margaret’s, South Queensferry and St Mary’s, Ratho, in 2015. Fr Deeley has a Licence in Canon Law from the Gregorian University in Rome.

Chancellor of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh

The Very Reverend Scott Deeley 
BSc (Hons) STB JCL
T: 0131 623 8921 
E: chancery@staned.org.uk

Chancery Administrator

Mrs Anne Riley
T: 0131 623 8908
E: chancery.administrator@staned.org.uk

Sponsor Licence

In September 2014 the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh was granted an A rated Sponsor Licence.

When the Archdiocese wishes to employ a Minister of Religion or a Religious Worker from outside the EEA we can only do so if that worker already has unrestricted permission to work in the UK. If they do not have unrestricted permission to work in the UK, or are outside the UK, the Archdiocese must sponsor the person under the Sponsor Licence arrangement, using Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Religious Worker) visa. These are the only Tiers under which the Archdiocese can sponsor a Minister of Religion or Religious worker.

In both Tiers the Archdiocese must sponsor the Minister of Religion or Religious Worker by issuing them with a Certificate of Sponsorship before they can complete a Visa Application in their country of residence.

Tier 2 is reserved for graduate level occupations only. This category of sponsorship is available for Ministers of Religion coming to the UK to fill vacancies that cannot be filled by a resident worker and are within a bona fide religious organisation. This category includes anyone undertaking preaching and pastoral work. The Archdiocese must first conduct a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) to establish that no suitable resident workers can be found. This category is also used for missionaries or members of religious orders.

Tier 5 is for temporary Religious workers to come to the UK to work on short-term assignments, their duties may include preaching, pastoral and non-pastoral work. Religious workers seeking to come to work in the UK and a member of a religious order are employed in the same capacity as they were overseas.

More information can be found at the UKVI, UK Visas and Immigration website below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-minister-of-religion-visa

Tier 5 Religious Worker

https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-religious

Resources

Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form

Marriage in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh

Decrees

Decree 09/22 Aged & Infirm Clergy Levy

Decree 08/22 Certain Extraordinary Parish Income

Decree 12/21 In God's Image

Communications

The Communications Department is integral to the development and delivery of the Archdiocese’s strategic goals. In recent years, the Archdiocesan communications strategy has embraced digital as a means of proactively and directly communicating its vision and values to key target audiences, both internally and externally, and always in a way that attempts to be credible, coherent and compelling. In dealing with mainstream media, the Archdiocese strives to engage in way that is open, honest and responsive.

The Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is Matthew Meade. He is a qualified journalist who has worked as a reporter and sub-editor on newspapers across central Scotland, as well as at the Press Association. He was appointed to the post in May 2019.

Director of Communications

Matthew Meade
T: 0131 623 8914
E: matthew.meade@staned.org.uk

Resources

Our Communications 2023 - Quick Guide

Archdiocesan Directory 2023

Copyright Guide for Parishes

Livestreaming

Social Media Protocol

Quick Guide - Add an admin to Parish Facebook

Data Protection Policy

Finance

The Finance Department has overall responsibility for financial administration and reporting within the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh including the publication of the annual report and accounts.

The Director of Finance for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is Graham Scrimgeour. Graham is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University in Accountancy and Computer Science and is also a qualified Chartered Accountant. He was previously an audit and consultancy partner with Scott-Moncrieff, one of Scotland’s leading independent firms of chartered accountants and business advisers. Graham has 20 years' experience of supporting business and charity clients. He has also worked for two banks and an investment platform operator. As a volunteer, Graham has been a charity trustee and a treasurer for a charity.

Director of Finance

Mr Graham Scrimgeour
T: 0131 623 8942
E: Graham.scrimgeour@staned.org.uk

Finance Officer

Mr Richard Marzec
T: 0131 623 8936
E: Richard.marzec@staned.org.uk

Finance Administrator

Mrs Paula Grant
T: 0131 623 8910
E: Paula.grant@staned.org.uk

General Contact for Finance Department

T: 0131 623 8900
F: 0131 623 8899
E: finance@staned.org.uk

Resources

Ethical Investment Guidelines

2023 AICF Deanery Meetings Q&A

2023 (b) AICF Q&A

2023 (a) AICF Q&A

2021 AICF Webinar Q&A

2021 Annual Report and Accounts

2020 Annual Report and Accounts

2019 Annual Report and Accounts

2018 Annual Report and Accounts

2017 Annual Report and Accounts

2016 Annual Report and Accounts

2015 Annual Report and Accounts

2014 Annual Report and Accounts

2013 Annual Report and Accounts

2012 Annual Report and Accounts

2011 Annual Report and Accounts

Property

The Property Department provides advice, resources, and assistance to the parishes of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh to help them maintain and enhance their churches and other buildings. It also deals with insurance claims, health and safety issues, heritage items, listed buildings, leasing, and any other property related concerns.

The Director of Property for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is Sister Mary Pierre Jean Wilson RSM. A native of the United States, Sister Mary Pierre is a qualified civil engineer and has practiced professionally both in the US and in Lesotho, southern Africa. She joined the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1985, serving in various parts of the United States and in Rome. She completed a Licence and a Doctorate in Canon Law; served at the Congregation for Catholic Education for the Holy See; taught at the seminary in Denver, Colorado; and was a Judge at the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Lancaster prior to her arrival in Edinburgh in 2016.

Director of Property

Sister Mary Pierre Jean Wilson RSM
T: 0131 623 8905
E: director.properties@staned.org.uk

Property Team Administrator

Mrs Irene Furlong
T: 0131 623 8912
E: Irene.furlong@staned.org.uk

Mount Vernon Cemetery

Mount Vernon Cemetery was founded by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh in 1895. Since then, almost 38,000 people have been laid to rest within it. It is still the city’s only Catholic cemetery. Elsewhere within the Archdiocese, St Mary’s parish in Haddington, East Lothian, also has a Catholic cemetery.

For many decades Mount Vernon Cemetery was the resting place of Venerable Margaret Sinclair (1900-25) until her re-interment in her home parish of St Patrick’s, Edinburgh, in 2003. Her empty tomb can still be viewed at Mount Vernon. The cemetery also contains the 130 Commonwealth War Graves and 25 Polish War Graves.

Address

Mount Vernon Cemetery
49 Mount Vernon Road
Edinburgh
EH16 6JG

Cemetery Manager

Miss Anna Kulwicka
T: 0131 623 8906
E: Anna.kulwicka@staned.org.uk 

Resources

Parish Hall Letting - Guidance

Parish Hall Licence Template

Parish Hall Licence Template (single use)

Parish Hall/Church Tenancy Template

Car Park Use (third party) - Guidance

Car Parking Licence Template

Health & Safety Checklist

Safeguarding

Overview
Team
Training
Resources
Referrals / Allegations
Safeguarding for Clergy

The Catholic Church in Scotland is committed to respecting, protecting and nurturing the dignity of all people.

We are determined that we will offer a safe place in all Church premises and activities, and with all Church personnel.

As leaders of the Catholic community in Scotland, we are committed to improving the culture of our Safeguarding approach in order to rebuild trust and confidence in the ways in which we ensure that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe.

In God’s Image V2, Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland

This link will take you to the Property page.  You should then tab down to "resources" at the bottom, and then you can access all forms and licenses relating to lets.

Arts & Heritage

The Arts & Heritage Commission was established in 1997 as a way to conserve and promote the Catholic patrimony, both cultural and historical, of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. It does this by hosting regular events, lectures and publications.

Commission Members

President: The Reverend Paul Kelly
Chair: Kate Lady Gill
Secretary: Mr Owen Gormley
Treasurer: Ms Margaret Drummond
Members: Mr Michael Bergin, Mr Alistair Cherry, Ms Helen Dawson, Ms Clare Ramsay

Secretary to the Arts & Heritage Commission

Mr Owen Gormley
T: 0131 623 8949
E: ogormley46@gmail.com

Mount Vernon Cemetery

Mount Vernon Cemetery was founded by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh in 1895. Since then, almost 38,000 people have been laid to rest within it. It is still the city’s only Catholic cemetery. Elsewhere within the Archdiocese, St Mary’s parish in Haddington, East Lothian, also has a Catholic cemetery.

For many decades Mount Vernon Cemetery was the resting place of Venerable Margaret Sinclair (1900-25) until her re-interment in her home parish of St Patrick’s, Edinburgh, in 2003. Her empty tomb can still be viewed at Mount Vernon. The cemetery also contains the 130 Commonwealth War Graves and 25 Polish War Graves.

Address

Mount Vernon Cemetery
49 Mount Vernon Road
Edinburgh
EH16 6JG

Cemetery Manager

Miss Anna Kulwicka
T: 0131 623 8906
E: Anna.kulwicka@staned.org.uk

Resources

Cemetery Charges

Reclamation of unused lairs notice

Cemetery Management Rules