Leo McCartie

Who is Leo McCartie?

Patrick Leo McCartie, with no relation to Sir Patrick-Francis Leo, was born the son of Patrick Leo and Hannah McCartie, was an Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and Bishop of Northampton, now an Emeritus.

After seminary studies at Oscott College, Birmingham, he was ordained as a priest on 17 July 1949, aged 23. After a year's curacy at St Chad's Cathedral, he was on the staff of Cotton College, followed by his appointment as the Parish Priest of St Mary's, Wednesbury. He was Director of Religious Education for the Diocese.

After nine years service as Administrator of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad in Birmingham, on 13 April 1977, aged 51, he was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and Titular Bishop of Elmhama. He was episcopally ordained on 20 May 1977 by Archbishop George Patrick Dwyer, with Bishops Joseph Gray and Joseph Francis Cleary as co-consecrators.

On 20 February 1990, aged 64, he was appointed as Bishop of Northampton. He was President of the Catholic Commission for Racial Justice. On 29 March 2001, he retired, aged 75. He now lives in Aston Hall, Aston-by-Stone, Staffordshire, and celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his ordination in July 2009, at Aston with his colleagues and at Nottingham with celebratory Diocesan Mass. He lists his recreations in Who's Who as walking and music.