The Bishops of Scotland have appointed Fr Gerard Maguiness to be the new General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

Fr Maguiness is currently Parish Priest of St Ignatius’ Wishaw, in the Diocese of Motherwell. He succeeds Fr Jim Grant who was appointed in 2018.

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said: “I am delighted to welcome Fr Gerard to his new post and together with all the members of the conference, look forward to working with him in future. I extend our warmest thanks to Fr. Jim Grant for his service and to Bishop Toal for his willingness to support the conference and its work by lending one of his priests as General Secretary.”

Reacting to his appointment, Fr Maguiness said: “I look forward to serving the Catholic Church in Scotland as General Secretary to the Bishops. I am grateful to Mgr Michael Conway and my parishioners from St Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Wishaw, for their support and prayers for this new challenge.”

Bishop Joe Toal, Bishop of Motherwell said: “I am grateful to Fr Grant for the time and dedication he gave to the role of General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. I have asked him to take up the post of Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier’s, Carfin, following the illness of Fr Francis McGachey, who stood down as Parish Priest of St Francis’ Xavier’s last year.”

Bishop Toal added: “I am pleased that the Diocese of Motherwell can continue to contribute generously to the National Church by allowing Fr Gerard Maguiness to serve as General Secretary.  I am sure he will bring his many talents to that role and I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide him as he accepts this new challenge.”