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Scotland: Tributes to Bishop Ian Murray


Bishop Ian Murray

Bishop Ian Murray

Tributes have been paid to Bishop Ian Murray, former Bishop of Argyll & the Isles, who died on Friday 22 January, aged 83.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland said: "On behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland I would like to offer Bishop Murray's family our deepest and most prayerful sympathies. During his active years as a bishop, Ian Murray played a full part in the life and work of the Bishops' Conference contributing with humanity, faith and humour to everything that we did. He will be sorely missed. May God rest his generous soul."

The Scottish Bishops are currently gathered in session at the Royal Scots College in Salamanca, Spain, an institution to which Bishop Murray had a lifelong bond as both student and, subsequently, rector. They celebrated a Mass for him in the College this morning.

"When we heard the sad news this afternoon, Archbishop Tartaglia immediately halted proceedings and we paused to pray for the repose of Bishop Murray's soul," said Archbishop Leo Cushley. Ian Murray was a happy priest, a good bishop and a father to his people with a particular corner of his heart for the students of the Royal Scots College in Spain."

Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell who, is also a former Rector of the Royal Scots College and Bishop Emeritus of Argyll & the Isles, said: "We will remember Bishop Murray with great fondness both as Emeritus Bishop of Argyll & the Isles and also his wonderful contribution to the Royal Scots College in Spain,"

"We ask God to grant him eternal rest after his fruitful and happy ministry as a priest and bishop in Scotland - and we appreciate all that he did for the Church in our country over the past 60 years of his priesthood."

Monsignor Jamie MacNeil, Diocesan Administrator of Argyll & the Isles said: "We have very fond memories of Bishop Ian and are very sad to hear the news of his death. The priests and people of the diocese will make heartfelt prayers for the repose of his soul with gratitude to God for his service and his leadership in our diocese."

The new Bishop of Argyll & the Isles Bishop-elect Brian McGee said; "It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Bishop Ian Murray, I will pray for the repose of his soul while I am in Rome and join with so many others across Scotland, mourning his loss.

BIshop Ian Murray was born in Lennoxtown on 15 December 1932, the eldest of the four children of John and Margaret Murray. He was educated at St Machan's Primary School, Lennoxtown, St Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch and the National Junior Seminary at St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeen.

He then studied at the Royal Scots College, Valladolid. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh in the college chapel on 17 March 1956 by Bishop Joseph McGee.

After ordination, Father Murray served at St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh, St Kenneth's, Lochore and St Columba's, Edinburgh. Thereafter he returned to Valladolid as Vice-Rector until 1970. On returning to Scotland he was appointed as the Catholic chaplain to the University of Stirling where he remained until 1977. He then served at Our Lady & St Bride's, Cowdenbeath and subsequently at St Ninian's, Restalrig.

In 1987 Father Murray was appointed Rector of the Royal Scots College in Valladolid. He assisted with the transfer of the College to Salamanca in 1988 and remained there until his return to Scotland in 1994. On recommencing his work in the Archdiocese he served in Galashiels, Falkirk and was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

In 1999, Monsignor Ian Murray was nominated ninth Bishop of Argyll & the Isles by Pope John Paul II. He was consecrated by Archbishop Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien on 7 December that year, the feast of St Ambrose, a patron of the Royal Scots College.

On 15 December 2008, reaching the age 75, in accordance with Canon Law he submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI, who appointed Mgr Joseph Anthony Toal, the Rector of the Royal Scots College, to succeed him as tenth Bishop of Argyll & the Isles. In retirement Bishop Murray lived at St Columba's, Newington, St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh and then, until his death in January 2016, with the Little Sisters of the Poor at St Joseph's House, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh.

The Bishop's motto was 'Obedience gives strength' which were taken from the words of St Teresa of Avila who wrote: 'When I was in Salamanca in 1571 the Lord said to me, 'Daughter, obedience gives strength'.

Source: SCMO/ICN

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