Congratulations to William McQuillan and Patrick Harrigan of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh who were both ordained to the diaconate today in Rome.

"I join with the family and friends of William and Patrick in expressing our delight that these two fine men have been ordained to the diaconate," said Archbishop Leo Cushley, 13 June, "and I look forward with prayer and great hope to their ordination to the priesthood next summer."

The two men were ordained by Bishop Alan Hopes of East Anglia at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, only yards away from the Pontifical Beda College where William and Patrick are currently undertaking their ecclesiastical studies. Also ordained today were nine other new deacons including Ronald Campbell from the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles.

Please do keep both William and Patrick in your prayers as they progress towards priestly ordination next year. Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them!