Complex process to succeed Cardinal

Monsignor James Clancy is the temporary successor

By Johnston Mackay, editor of BBC Scotland's religious affairs staff

As Archbishop of Glasgow, Cardinal Winning had two roles. He was pastorally responsible for the clergy of the archdiocese as a bishop, and he was effectively the chief executive of the administrative and financial side of the work of the archdiocese.

When it is said that Monsignor James Clancy has been appointed as "temporary successor" to Cardinal Winning, this is puts him in charge of the administration of the archdiocese.

A successor as both administrator and pastoral bishop (in other words as successor "as archbishop") must await the appointment which will be made by the Vatican.

Cardinal Winning's successor will be appointed by the Vatican

The Vatican has its representative in London (roughly equivalent to an ambassador) called the Papal Nuncio.

Over the next months various groups of people may make representations to him about who should be appointed archbishop: the other bishops, the clergy who run St Andrew's Cathedral (called "canons" and together constituting "the cathedral chapter"), and the clergy of the archdiocese.

The Papal Nuncio may approach either groups or individuals and ask for their advice.

Cardinal Winning himself will have left with the Papal Nuncio his own view.

Once this process (which can take a very long time) has been completed, the Papal Nuncio will report his findings to the Vatican and doubtless make a recommendation.

Cardinal Winning died on Sunday

The Pope may well consult his own advisers in the curia. Finally a decision will be reached and a person approached.

It is very difficult to predict who will be appointed.

Normally one would expect one of the present bishops to succeed, as Cardinal Winning, then Bishop of Motherwell within the Archdiocese succeeded Archbishop Donald Scanlan.

However there is reason to suspect that the eventual choice may come from outside the group of bishops.