Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

Pope Francis had nominated Fr Andrew McKenzie as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

Following the sad passing of Bishop-elect Martin Chambers he will succeed Bishop Stephen Robson who was Bishop of Dunkeld from 2013 to 2022.

Fr Andrew said: “I am humbled by the trust that Pope Francis has placed in me by inviting me to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. With faith in God’s guidance, and with some nervousness, I accepted his invitation.

"I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation

"I look forward to getting to know the priests and people of the diocese and to join them in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation.

"I have good memories of the diocese from a previous role as Director of Priests for Scotland when I was a regular visitor to Dundee at the invitation of Bishop Vincent Logan. I look forward to reconnecting with people and places.

***BREAKING NEWS***
The Holy Father has named Canon Andrew McKenzie, Administrator of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, to be the new Bishop of Dunkeld. pic.twitter.com/y9HgSKMUTP

— Archdiocese of Glasgow (@ArchdiocGlasgow) May 27, 2024

"I know that this has been a difficult time for the Diocese of Dunkeld with the unexpected death of Bishop Elect Martin Chambers. We remember him and continue to pray for his eternal rest.”

Diocesan Administrator Fr Kevin Golden said: "The Diocese of Dunkeld joyfully receives the news of Fr Andrew McKenzie being nominated as the Bishop of Dunkeld by our Holy Father Pope Francis.

"The priests, deacons, religious and lay people of Dunkeld look forward to welcoming him and the leadership he will exercise as our Shepherd. We ask of the Lord many blessings for him, and we shall keep him in our prayers each day.

Welcoming the appointment of Fr. McKenzie, the administrator of his Cathedral, Archbishop Nolan of Glasgow said: "May I congratulate Fr Andrew McKenzie on his appointment as Bishop and may I also congratulate Dunkeld Diocese who now acquires a fine priest as their leader and guide.

"In his 36 years of priestly service the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the wider Church in Scotland have benefited from his talent, his commitment, his perseverance, and the high standards he has set in a variety of ministries.

"He has shown care for parishioners and care for his fellow priests, with a devotion also to the worthy celebration of liturgy and the praise and worship of God."

Archbishop Cushley welcomed the appointment, saying: "I'm very pleased that Pope Francis has appointed Canon McKenzie as the Bishop of Dunkeld, both for the people of the diocese and the wider Church in Scotland."

Biography

Born 15 October 1964 in Glasgow.
Educated at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School (1969 – 1976); Lourdes Secondary (1976–1982); St. Peter’s College Newlands (1982-1985); Chesters College Bearsden (1985-1988).
Ordained Priest Our Lady of Lourdes 31^st October 1988
Appointed assistant priest St Michael’s Dumbarton and school chaplain to Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School (1988-1994); Appointed assistant priest Holy Cross Croy and school chaplain to St. Ninian’s High School Kirkintilloch and to St Maurice’s High School Cumbernauld. (1994-1998)
Further study, MA Liturgical Studies St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA (1996-1998)
Appointed assistant priest St. Andrew’s Cathedral (1998-1999)
Appointed to the seminary staff of Scotus College (1999-2004); Visiting lecturer (2004 -2009); Director of Priests for Scotland (2004-2012).
Appointed Parish Priest St. Joseph’s Tollcross (2012-2022) and Administrator St. Joachim’s Carmyle (2013-2022); Administrator of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Glasgow (2022 – present day).
Chair of the Council of Priests (2019-2021)
Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies (2012-present day)

Bishop-Elect of Dunkeld Fr Martin Chambers (1964-2024)

Fr Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway who was shortly to be ordained as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, has died aged 59.

Bishop Frank Dougan, of Galloway Diocese, said: “It was with a heavy heart and the deepest sadness that I learned today of the death of Fr Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

"I know his family and the people of Galloway diocese who knew him and loved him will be deeply shocked and dismayed at his untimely death.

"Together we give thanks for the selfless service he gave to our diocese; we recognise the enormous contribution he made to support some of the poorest communities in Ecuador and we pray for the repose of his soul.”

“To know Martin was to know a man of love, enthusiasm, humour and a deep faith which enlivened all that he did.”

Pope Francis nominated Fr Martin on 2 February 2024 as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. His Episcopal Ordination was scheduled for Saturday 27 April, 2024.

He latterly served as parish priest at Our Lady of the Assumption & St Meddan’s, Troon (2023-2024)

He established the Martin Chamber Ecuador Trust in 2006 to support the lives of those who live in the poorest conditions in Ecuador and worked on the missions in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil from 2004-2009.

He added: “On behalf of the Dioses of Galloway I offer our deepest condolences and the promise of our prayers to Martin’s family as they come to terms with his loss, our prayers too are with the people of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who were preparing to welcome him as their bishop.

"We give thanks to God for the great service of a selfless priest and pray for his eternal rest.”

Pope appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

Pope Francis has nominated Fr Martin Chambers as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

He will succeed Bishop Stephen Robson who was Bishop of Dunkeld from 2013 to 2022.

Fr Martin (59) is a priest of the Diocese of Galloway, based at Our Lady of the Assumption & St Meddan’s, Troon.

He said: “As I set out on this new Mission as Bishop of Dunkeld, I pledge to sit in prayer as a Disciple at the feet of Jesus, listening to his voice calling me forward in faith.

"Together, with Christ’s strength and inspiration, we will all be able to continue to build the Kingdom in the Diocese of Dunkeld."

*A screenshot of Fr Martin giving a reflection for Palm Sundayin 2020.*

He added: "One of the catchphrases of Pope Francis is that, as Christians, we are called to be ‘Missionary Disciples’. The Pope reminds us that, yes, we are all called to take our part in the mission of spreading the Good News in our families and within our local community.

"However, the Pope reminds us that, first of all, we must sit as disciples at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him and letting Him guide our steps.”

Bishop Robson, who was bishop from 2013-2022 before retiring on health grounds, said: “I have known Fr Martin for many years since he was in the Sixth Form of Blairs College in 1981.

Since then, I have followed with great admiration his journey in the priesthood thus far. He was educated in the Royal Scots College in Spain, and he has had great experience in Ecuador as a missionary priest.

Various appointments as pastor, school chaplain and diocesan responsibilities in Galloway diocese then followed. All this previous experience will stand him in great stead going forward as bishop here in Dunkeld."

Fr. Martin added said: “I am conscious that many years ago, I was accepted into seminary by Bishop Joseph McGee.

"He was the Bishop of Galloway who had started off as a priest of Dunkeld Diocese.

"In a strange way, I am returning a compliment in faith for, having started as a priest of Galloway, I am now becoming Bishop of Dunkeld.”

Fr Martin Chambers

Pope Francis has nominated Fr Martin Chambers as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

Fr Martin was ordained Priest for the Diocese of Galloway in 1989.

He first served as an Assistant Priest St John’s, Stevenston (1989-1993) before being appointed Parish Priest St Thomas’, Muirkirk (1993-1996).

Since then he has served at the following parishes in the Diocese of Galloway:

Parish Priest St Bride’s, West Kilbride (1996-1997)
Parish Priest St John’s, Stevenston (1997-2004)
Parish Priest St. Matthew’s, Kilmarnock (2009-2023)
Administrator St Sophia’s, Galston & St Paul’s, Hurlford (2013-2015)
Parish Priest Our Lady of Mount Carmel (2015-2023)
Parish Priest St Sophia’s, Galston (2017-2018)
Parish Priest Our Lady of the Assumption & St Meddan’s, Troon (2023-2024)

He studied for the priesthood at the Royal Scots College, Spain – both at Valladolid (1982-1998) and then Salamanca (1988-1989), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology.

Fr Martin (59) was baptised at St Paul’s in Shettleston, Glasgow

He attended two primary schools - St Mary’s Primary in Irvine and then Guardian Angels Primary in Bury.

He then attended St Vincent’s College in Langbank and then St Mary’s College, Blairs, the then junior seminary for Scotland.

From 2004 - 2009 he served with the Missionary Society of St James in Guayaquil, Ecuador .

The date of his Episcopal ordination is expected to be announced shortly.

Bishop Stephen Robson announces retirement

Pope Francis has accepted a request from Bishop Stephen Robson, of Dunkeld Diocese, to be able to retire early on health grounds.

He said: "I am now almost 72 years of age and although three years short of the normal retirement age I am, as you might expect, sad to have come to the conclusion that I no longer have the strength necessary to carry on effectively shepherding the diocese.

“However, I am happy to say that the diocese is in relatively good shape, and I have every confidence that a good, younger, and fitter priest will be selected by the Pope to carry on the work of pastoring and feeding the People of God by means of the Word of God and the Sacraments.

The Diocese of Dunkeld is now vacant (sede vacante), and Bishop Robson is now the Emeritus Bishop of Dunkeld.

Since the Holy See is not yet at the point of being able to nominate and appoint a new diocesan Bishop, the task now falls to the College of Consultors, a sub-set of the Council of Priests of the Diocese of Dunkeld, to elect a Diocesan Administrator from among the priests of the diocese who will have responsibility for the day to day running of the diocese. The Consultors are expected to announce their decision next week.

He was rdained priest in 1979 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray for the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews & Edinburgh and served in parishes in Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh, Duns and Eyemouth, Dunbar, East Calder, North Berwick and Broxburn.

He was Auxiliary Bishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh from 2012-2013.

Bishop Robson added: “Since I came to the diocese of Dunkeld in 2013, priests, people, religious and deacons have all been very good to me, and I have tried to serve them as best I can.

"I thank the Holy Father for allowing me to retire, and I wish every blessing and grace on the good priests, deacons, religious and people of Dunkeld.”