Clergy moves and appointments

Here are the latest clergy moves & other appointments of note, to take canonical effect on 6 September, unless otherwise noted.

Appointments:


Parish Priests and Administrators

Assistant Priests

Retirement

Rev Patrick Carrigan to retire from the active diaconate at the end of September 2025.

Here is a reminder of the clergy moves announced in June


These moves become canonically effective on 2 August 2025.

Support Pope Leo with Peter's Pence

With your donation to Peter's Pence, you offer tangible support as the Holy Father takes his first steps as Pope.

This Sunday a special collection takes place at parishes across Scotland to support the Holy Father in his mission at the service of the universal Church.

Your contribution is an expression of support for the needs of the Catholic Church around the world and the charitable works it carries out.

Help him proclaim the Gospel to the world and extend a hand to our brothers and sisters in need.

Aims of Peter's Pence

●  To support the Holy Father’s mission, which extends throughout the entire world, from the proclamation of the Gospel to the promotion of integral human development, education, peace, and brotherhood among peoples: thanks also to the many activities of service carried out by the dicasteries, bodies and organs of the Holy See who assist him every day.

●  To support the numerous charitable works in aid of people and families in difficulty, populations afflicted by natural disasters and wars, or who are in need of humanitarian assistance or support for development.

Assisted Suicide vote: 'Do not give up hope'

Archbishop Cushley has urged Catholics not to lose hope and to continue praying and working to reject assisted suicide.

On Friday, MPs narrowly voted in favour of introducing assisted suicide in England & Wales, supporting the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 314-291 votes. Find out how Scottish MPs voted here.

The Archbishop made his comments at St Patrick's Church in Kilsyth on Sunday which hosted the annual Archdicoesan Corpus Christi procession.

He said: "People talk about choice, compassion and dignity - but I fear that all three risk being lost in what we are seeing happening in our country.

I will continue to speak about it and point out in all charity the mistakes and the flaws that are contained in these decisions

"As Catholic Christians we have a consistent principled position that has not changed and that cannot change; life is a gift that we receive and that we pass on to others, it is a gift from God.

"Even if you don’t believe in God, life is something given to us that we cannot take, we can only give back, we can only nurture and we can only love.

"I will continue to speak about it and point out in all charity the mistakes and the flaws that are contained in these decisions, even if they are well intentioned and well meaning."

He echoed the message of Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland who assured the poor and vulnerable that the Church will never abandon them, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

He said: “I make this promise to all people: the Catholic Church will continue to offer her unwavering commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We will never abandon you.”

He added: "Despite the deeply held and clearly expressed concerns of some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including the disabled, MPs have decided to progress this Bill and move one step closer to the establishment of state facilitated suicide.

“There is no dignity in handing a lethal concoction of drugs to a vulnerable person to help them kill themselves.”

“Despite yesterday’s result, we still hold out hope that sense will prevail and this Bill will not pass into law.

Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer for the Archdiocese said: "We will continue to advocate for a culture of life, promoting palliative care and ensuring that all individuals receive the love, respect, and assistance they deserve, especially during their most vulnerable moments.

"Our efforts will also include greater education and resources for Catholics and all people of good will on the Church's teaching against euthanasia and assisted suicide."

The Bill will now pass to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

The dangerous Bill, which has been criticised by medical bodies, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians, has also been strongly opposed by organisations representing vulnerable people across the UK, including the disabled, the elderly, those with eating disorders and victims of domestic abuse, who fear that people will be coerced into an early death.

Whilst the law would not apply to Scotland, it is likely to influence similar legislation currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament and which is expected to be considered by MSPs later in the year.

Keep up to date on this issue by visiting the website of the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

Andrew awarded posthumous Archdiocesan Medal

Tributes were paid today at a Memorial Mass for an inspirational Christian who was posthumously awarded the Archdiocesan Medal.

Andrew Sharkey was a well-known and much loved headteacher at St Kentigern's in Blackburn, West Lothian, when he died aged just 54 in November last year.

Archbishop Cushley with Siobhán and sons Andrew and Benjamin after Mass.

In his homily at St Margaret's Chapel at The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, Archbishop Leo Cushley said Andrew displayed "love, faith and fidelity" throughout his life.

He told his widow Siobhán and their two boys Andrew and Benjamin: "Today, on behalf of his colleagues from across the Archdiocese, we all want to say thank you for the extraordinary man he was.

"He did so much good in the time he had with us."

Andrew had been head teacher at St Kentigern's since 2014.

Andrew's family, friend, colleagues along with pupils from St Kentigern's Academy.

As chief catechist Andrew led the school community in placing Jesus at the centre of daily life and sharing the moral teachings and the faith of the Church.

He was also awarded the Archdiocesan medal for his commitment to social justice and the common good, which manifested itself in his commitment to serving others in serving others.

This included his long-term commitment to scouting since 1998, where he championed opportunities for young people through his inspirational leadership.

In 2018, Andrew was appointed to lead Scottish Scouting as its Chief Commissioner, a role he held until 2023.

Today's Mass was attended by family, friends and colleague and was concelebrated by Fr John Deighan, Vicar Episcopal for Education.

Read more about the life of Andrew Sharkey here. The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray. It is awarded for outstanding voluntary service to the Church at a local level. 

Stella Maris: A Good Samaritan for Seafarers

When a fisherman fled his boat after allegedly being abused by the captain, he ended up stranded at Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow.

Robert King, Regional Port Chaplain for Stella Maris at ports including Leith and Grangemouth, was informed of his plight and went to find him.

“I quickly identified the fisher, who was from Ghana, sitting on a bench looking scared and lost," he said.

"He had no money and was so grateful to see a friendly face. By now it was after 6:00pm and a storm was raging.

Stella Maris paid for a hotel room for the fisher to spend the night. He was glad to be away from the bus station and in the comfort of the hotel.

"I made sure he had a phone charger so he could keep in touch with his family and myself, and I gave him some money for essentials.”

“Because of the storm, he had to spend a second night in the hotel. Acting on advice from the International Transport Workers Federation, I persuaded the fisher to return to Campbeltown, where his boat was anchored, to report the alleged abuse by the captain to the local police station, which he did.”

A resolution was reached, and the fisher has now started working on a different vessel in Scotland. “He was very grateful for the assistance that I gave him,” said Robert.

A friend when one is needed

When seafarers and fishers arrive in a port, they are strangers in a foreign land.

They do not know the locals and often don’t know who to turn to when they need help.

Port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors from Stella Maris (the Catholic Church's maritime agency and formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) are there for them.

They are concerned for the welfare of seafarers and fishers.

This year’s Gospel for Sea Sunday which falls on 13 July reminds us about the love and care that the Good Samaritan showed to the stranger that he found upon the road.

For seafarers and fishers, Stella Maris is that Good Samaritan.

Theor simple acts of kindness by Stella Maris port chaplains and ship visitors mean so much to seafarers who are far from home and feeling isolated.

On Sea Sunday, which falls on 13th July this year, let us pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris.

Parishes have the option of having a special collection for Sea Sunday on 13 July. Donations can be made to Stella Maris here. 

Holy Mass celebrated by Bishops at Holyrood

Bishops from across Scotland gathered at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Mass with MSPs and staff.

The Mass marked the feast of Ss John Fisher and Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians, and featured

MSPs from all parties and the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, attended the Mass, with the Presiding Officer and sponsoring MSP, Mark Griffin, assisting with readings.

Alison Johnstone, the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, reads the bidding prayers during the Mass.

After the Mass, Paul O’Kane MSP presented the bishops with a framed copy of a parliamentary motion welcoming the election of Pope Leo and which attracted cross-party support in the Parliament.

Paul O’Kane MSP presenting Bishop Keenan with a framed copy of a parliamentary motion.

The motion highlights how Pope Leo’s first words from the balcony at St Peter’s Square included the need to “build bridges”.

After accepting the motion and thanking Mr O’Kane, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “That’s what Pontifex literally means, being a bridge builder.

“That’s part of why we are here today – to build bridges between the church and parliament and we appreciate this opportunity to come here, to make friends and discuss things.

“Some things we’ll agree on, some things we won’t, that’s part of the process.

“But there is so much work to be done in Scotland together as we continue to get to know each other, to think how we can work better together for the common good.”

In his homily during the Mass, Archbishop Leo Cushley, said: “One of Pope Francis’ lessons was that we listen to each other and be merciful to each other; listen to each other without prejudice and with humility and goodness and openness of heart.

“The Bishops and the Catholic Church in Scotland is a willing and open partner to work with you and to listen to you and, for our part, to accompany you when we possibly can.”

Westminster backs abortion up to birth

MPs voted by 379 votes to 137 in favour of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would change the law to make it legal for women to perform their own abortions up to birth, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

The new law, which will now be considered by the House of Lords, would allow for the abortion of a healthy baby right up until the moment of birth and would include abortion for sex-selective purposes.

Whilst the law would only apply to England & Wales (the law relating to abortion is devolved in Scotland), it will undoubtedly influence similar moves to decriminalise abortion in Scotland.

Despite the law not directly applying to Scotland, many Scottish MPs still voted on the proposal.

Thirty MPs voted in favour, whilst nine voted against.

Seventeen Scottish MPs did not vote, including all nine SNP MPs who, as a matter of party policy, would not vote on laws which are not directly related to Scotland. View the full list of how Scottish MPs voted.

Please use the Write to Them online tool to contact your MP about their vote.

Responding to the vote, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley, urged people “never to give up hoping that the dignity of all human life—from conception until natural death—will be upheld and defended on our shores”.

Bishop Keenan expressed his gratitude to all those who engaged with their MPs on the matter and to all who “struggle every day to defend the rights of the unborn in our society and across the world. May God reward your efforts.”

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said that the vote marked “a dark day for our country” and said that MPs were “wildly out of touch with the electorate”, after a poll revealed only 1 per cent of the British public supported abortion up to birth.

Mr Horan quoted Pope John Paul II, who described the culture of death, including abortion and assisted suicide, as a “war of the powerful against the weak”.

He added: “This has never been better illustrated than by MPs in Westminster last night; hundreds of adults gathering to decide the fate of tiny, innocent, unborn babies.”

Paul Atkin, Archdiocesan Pro-Life Officer, said: “MPs ignored warnings that there will be a significant increase in late term abortions and their vote further dehumanises unborn children.

“Pope St John Paul II said that “the acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil.” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 58)

“On Friday, MPs will vote on dangerous proposals to allow assisted suicide and I’d urge all Catholics to write to their MPs with their concerns today.  The best way is via https://writetothem.com

How Archdiocesan MPs voted on abortion up to birth:

Against:

John Lamont Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

For:

Brian Leishman Alloa and Grangemouth
Melanie Ward Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Katrina Murray Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Graeme Downie Dunfermline and Dollar
Chris Murray Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Tracy Gilbert Edinburgh North and Leith
Ian Murray Edinburgh South
Scott Arthur Edinburgh South West
Christine Jardine Edinburgh West
Euan Stainbank Falkirk
Gregor Poynton Livingston
Susan Murray Mid Dunbartonshire
Kirsty McNeill Midlothian
Wendy Chamberlain North East Fife
Chris Kane Stirling and Strathallan

Did not vote:

Kirsteen Sullivan Bathgate and Linlithgow
David Mundell Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Richard Baker Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Douglas Alexander Lothian East

 

 

 

Catholic chapel is 'hidden gem' in capital

St Margaret’s Chapel at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh has been described as "a hidden gem" by the National Churches Trust (NCT).

The charity helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses each year to ensure they thrive.


The historic chapel is to benefit from a generous £10k grant from the charity to help with repairs, as announced in April.

The NCT website states: "This is a location with a rich and varied history.

"It's a hidden gem in the beautiful grounds of the Gillis Centre, the Chapel and adjoining former Convent was the first religious house to be built in Scotland after the Reformation."

The NCT has helped 13,000 places of worship since it was introduced in 2001, the vast majority of them churches.

The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme allows listed churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals to reclaim VAT on urgent repair projects.

Archbishop Cushley said: “St Margaret’s Chapel is a special place for the Archdiocese.

 "It is a quiet sanctuary, a reminder of our past, and a space for reflection and prayer at the regular events we host."

Find out more about the work of the National Churches Trust here.

 

WATCH: Corpus Christi Procession

Watch highlights of the Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession at St Patrick’s Church, Kilsyth, thanks to coverage from Being Catholic TV.

Watch below or on YouTube.

In his homily at St Patrick's, Archbishop Cushley said: "I was talking to a priest and he referred to the Blessed Sacrament as the living Lord.

"Those words encapsulate so much wonderful theology; just to say the living Lord says so much without having to say much else.

"It shows that the Lord is present  when we come before him in bread and wine consecrated at Mass, and the living Lord remains with us, he remains among us and for that reason we wish to homour the living Lord in the Blessed Sacrament today."

Deacon Matthew McCafferty (below), spoke at the Bandstand in Burngreen park where there was a pause for prayer.

He said: "The Corpus Christi Procession is one of the few times of the year when Catholics take their faith out into the streets.

"What we are doing only makes sense if we are clear in one of the most fundamental aspects of our Catholic faith – that the Eucharist is Christ himself, not a symbol, or an allegory, or a metaphor, but truly Jesus Christ.

"So when we carry the blessed sacrament in procession it is truly Jesus himself who we are in procession with."

Gallery

 

 

 

 

Day for Life

Day for Life is this Sunday (15 June) and presents an opportunity to celebrate the dignity of all human life from conception to natural end.

This year’s theme is Hope Does Not Disappoint: Finding Meaning in Suffering.

It builds on last year’s theme which affirmed the value of good end-of-life care in contrast to proposals for assisted suicide.

Bishop John Keenan of Paisley Diocese said: "This year we wanted to draw out the question of human suffering which is at the heart of this debate, and to present it more fully in the light of Christian faith.

"This is a not a simple message to get across, but the meaning of suffering lurks in the background of abortion, assisted suicide and suicide generally, and many of our contemporary problems come from a worldview that assumes all suffering is bad and to be avoided.

"We were also conscious of this Holy Year’s theme of Hope and the teaching of Spes Non Confundit that ‘beyond the darkness we glimpse a light (and) come to realize that evangelization is sustained by the power flowing from Christ’s cross and resurrection.’"

Collection

The Day for Life Collection takes place in parishes this weekend and helps foster human life in every stage and condition, with particular attention to pro-life causes along with other aspects of life deserving consideration. 

The collection is split fifty percent between national and diocesan initiatives.  Applications for grants should be sent to Day for Life Fund, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, 64 Aitken Street, Airdrie, ML6 6LT or use the contact page.

In this booklet, you will find a message from Bishop John Keenan along with Bishops of England and Wales, Ireland, along with prayers that can be used on or around Day for Life.