Scotland: Installation of new Archbishop of Glasgow

Bishop William Nolan

Source: SCMO

The new Archbishop of Glasgow will be installed at a Mass on Saturday February 26 at 12 noon in St Andrew's Cathedral, Clyde Street, Glasgow.

Pope Francis nominated Bishop William Nolan of Galloway Diocese to be the new leader of Scotland's largest Catholic community earlier this month.

The new Archbishop will celebrate a Mass of installation in the presence of the Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Bishops of Scotland and over 100 priests together with representatives of almost 100 parishes in the Glasgow Archdiocese.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Archbishop-elect said: "I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and the pledges of prayer I gave received since the announcement was made that I was to be the new Archbishop of Glasgow. I am convinced that the flame of faith is very much alive in Glasgow, even among those who no longer practise their faith, and I want to encourage the nurturing of that faith.

"Glasgow has many social problems. I think of the poor souls begging in the streets, their dignity trampled. I think of the asylum seekers who flee poverty and persecution and are trying to make a new life here. I think of the struggle many people are having to make ends meet at present. But Glasgow also has a great resource in its people and its traditions of faith and I would hope to promote a new sense of community and compassion that would benefit people of all faiths and none.

"I am aware too of the worrying clouds of war which overshadow these days and I would appeal for people of faith to join me in praying for an end to hostilities. War is a tragedy, whenever and wherever it occurs."

William Nolan was born on 26th January 1954, the fourth of eleven children born to William and Catherine Nolan (both deceased). He was baptised in St Patrick's Church, Craigneuk and educated at Cathedral Primary School in Motherwell, St Patrick's Primary, Craigneuk, St Vincent's College, Langbank (1965-67), and St Mary's College, Blairs (1967-71). His senior seminary formation was at the Scots College, Rome (1971-78) where he graduated with a Licence in Sacred Theology.

Father Nolan was ordained priest for the Diocese of Motherwell on 30th June 1977. He has ministered as assistant priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1978-1980; assistant priest of St David's, Plains, 1980-1983; vice-rector of the Scots College, Rome, 1983-1990; assistant priest of St Bridget's, Baillieston, 1990-1994; parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1994 to February 2015. He has held the posts of chairman of the Council of Priests, 1992-1998; chairman of the Committee for Ongoing Formation of Priests, 1993-2004; administrator, St John Ogilvie, Vicar General of Motherwell Diocese, June 2014 to February 2015.
He was nominated as Bishop of Galloway on 22nd November 2014 by Pope Francis, and Ordained in the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock on 14th February 2015 by Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrew's and Edinburgh.

LINKS

Watch the Installation Service online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEwZHTCorUI

Scottish Catholic Media Office - www.scmo.org