In 1950 returned to the Scots College, Rome, studied Canon Law, Gregorian University - DCL (Doctor of Canon Law), 1953.

Assistant Priest, St. Mary's, Hamilton from 1953 to 1957; Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell from 1957 - 1958. Secretary, Diocese of Motherwell, 1956 - 1961.

Chaplain to the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, Bothwell 1958 -1961.

Spiritual Director, Pontifical Scots College, Rome 1961 - 1966; qualified as an Advocate of the Sacred Roman Rota, 1965.

Parish Priest, Saint Luke's, Motherwell, Officialis of Motherwell Diocesan Tribunal and Vicar Episcopal for Marriage in Motherwell Diocese from 1966 until 1970.

First President and Officialis of the newly established Scottish National Tribunal, Glasgow, 1970 -1972.

On 22nd October, 1971, nominated to the Titular See of Louth as auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Glasgow; ordained to the episcopacy by Archbishop James Donald Scanlan in Glasgow on 30th November, 1971. Vicar General, Archdiocese of Glasgow 1971 - 1974 and parish priest of Our Holy Redeemer Parish, Clydebank 1972 - 1974.

Translated to the Archdiocese of Glasgow on 23rd April, 1974 on the retirement of Archbishop James Donald Scanlan.

President, Justice and Peace Commission of Bishops' Conference of Scotland 1973 - 1977.

President, National Commission for Social Welfare of Bishops' Conference of Scotland 1974 - 1984.

President of the Catholic Education Commission, Bishops' Conference of Scotland 1977 - 2001

Member of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1978 to 1984.

President, Bishops' Conference of Scotland 1985 - 2001

Delegate, Bishops' Conference of Scotland, to COMECE (The Bishops' Conferences of the European Union) 1990 - 1996

Member of CCEE (The Bishops' Conferences of Europe) to 2001

Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, The University of Glasgow, 1983;
Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland, 1986;
Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre and Grand Prior of the Scottish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, 1989; promoted to Knight Grand Cross 1995,
honorary degree of Doctor of the University, University of Strathclyde, 1992;
honorary degree of Doctor of Law (Aberdeen University) 1996.

Created Cardinal Priest, 26 November, 1994, by His Holiness Pope John Paul II with the Title of S. Andrea delle Fratte.

Member, President's Committee, Pontifical Council for the Family (Dec 1994 - 2001).

Member, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Dec 1994 - 2001).

17th March, 1997 - Appointed Special Envoy of the Holy Father to the Saint Columba Celebrations in the Dioceses of Derry and Raphoe, Ireland, in June of 1997

Died Sunday, 17th June 2001 R.I.P.