Birmingham: Bishop McCartie celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Bishop Leo McCartie, former Bishop of Northampton and Auxiliary of Birmingham, celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood yesterday, 16 July.

Bishop McCartie was ordained on 17 July 1949 and 60 years later he was the principal celebrant at a special Mass of Thanksgiving in the small parish church of Holy Michael Archangel, near Aston Hall, Aston-by-Stone, Staffordshire, a diocesan home for retired clergy, where he lives.

Five of the resident priests concelebrated the Mass together with Bishop William Kenney, CP, Diocesan Administrator; Bishop Philip Pargeter and Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishops in the diocese; Bishop Mark Jabalé, OSB, former Bishop of Menevia, now Parish Priest of Chipping Norton; and Fr Brendan Donlon who celebrated his Diamond Jubilee at the same time.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Pargeter said a few words of appreciation to Bishop Leo McCartie for the many years of faithful service that he had given to the priests, religious and people of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Bishop Leo McCartie was born on 5 September 1925 in West Hartlepool. After seminary studies at Oscott College, Birmingham, he was ordained on 17 July 1949. He was on the staff of Cotton College for some years, followed by parish work before he was appointed Diocesan Inspector of Schools in 1963.

Five years later he was appointed Administrator of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad in Birmingham.

Pope John Paul II appointed Mgr Leo McCartie an Auxiliary Bishop ofBirmingham on 13 April 1977. He was episcopally ordained on 20 May 1977 by Archbishop George Patrick Dwyer, with Bishops Joseph Gray and Joseph Francis Cleary as co-consecrators.
Bishop McCartie was appointed Bishop of Northampton on 20 February 1990. He retired on 29 March 2001, aged 75. He will return to Northampton on Tuesday 21 July for a Diocesan Mass and celebration with other Jubilarians of the diocese.

Bishop Leo lists his recreations in Who's Who as walking and music.