Scotland: Bishops Conference appoints new General Secretary

Screenshot from Facebook

Source: SCMO

The Bishops of Scotland have appointed Fr Gerard Maguiness to be the new General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference. 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."

Fr Maguiness' appointment will take effect from 7 February 2020. Fr Grant will take up his appointment in Carfin on 8 February.

Fr Gerard attended Our Lady of Lourdes Primary and Saint Bride's High, East Kilbride. He studied at Pontifical Scots College and Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome from 1987-94. He was ordained 4th July 1994 Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride. He served as Assistant Priest St. Columbkille's, Rutherglen 1994-1996; Chaplain to Fernhill School 1994-1996; Assistant Priest at St Ignatius of Loyola, Wishaw 1996-1999. He was Chaplain to St Aidan's High, Wishaw from 1996-1999.

After studying for his Doctorate in Theology, Alphonsianum, Pontifical Lateran University, Rome 1999-2002 he served as Assistant Priest at St Monica's, Coatbridge from 2002-2009. During this time he was also Primary Religious Education Advisor, Diocese of Motherwell 2002-2008; Vicar Episcopal for Religious Education 2008 and Lecturer in Moral Theology, Scotus College, Glasgow 2003-2009.

He was Parish Priest at St Edward's, Airdrie from 2009-2012. Most recently he served as Parish Priest at St Ignatius of Loyola, Wishaw 2012-2020 and was Chaplain to St Aidan's High, Wishaw from 2013-2018.

Watch:

Fr Gerard's reflection to the Scottish Parliament 2014 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBU9_zChbuo