The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Diocese of Aberdeen announces with sadness the death of the Right Reverend Peter A. Moran, Bishop Emeritus of Aberdeen, who died this morning at the age of 91 in Northcote Lodge Care Home, Aberdeen, where he had been living in recent years.

Bishop Peter served as Bishop of Aberdeen from December 2003 until his retirement in August 2011. He will be remembered with great affection as a devoted priest, a gifted teacher and scholar, and a bishop of exceptional humility, kindness and integrity.

Born in Glasgow on 13 April 1935, Peter Moran was educated at St Aloysius’ College before proceeding to the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on 19 March 1959.

Following his ordination, he served at St Paul’s, Whiteinch, and St Peter’s, Partick, in Glasgow. He continued his academic studies at the University of Glasgow, Jordanhill College of Education and the University of Aberdeen.

He had a particularly long and distinguished association with Blairs College, where he taught from 1964 until 1986. Generations of students, both those who went on to become priests and those who followed other paths in life, will remember his distinctive teaching style, formidable intellect and lifelong commitment to education.

He subsequently served as priest in charge and then parish priest of St Mary’s, Blairs, before becoming parish priest in Inverurie in 1993. He was appointed a Canon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, in 1995.

Following the appointment of Bishop Mario Conti as Archbishop of Glasgow in 2002, Canon Peter served as Diocesan Administrator during the vacancy of the See of Aberdeen. He was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen on 13 October 2003 and ordained bishop on 1 December that year. He served for almost eight years before being succeeded by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB in 2011.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Bishop Hugh said:

“Bishop Peter was one of the most genuinely humble men I have ever met. He was a priest to his fingertips, utterly dedicated to his vocation and to the service of the Church. He was a man of great integrity, extraordinary diligence and unfailing goodwill.

“The words of Our Lord about Nathanael come very readily to mind: ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.’ That was Bishop Peter. He was a thoroughly honest, upright and good man, without pretence or self-importance.

“He brought tremendous care and attention to everything he undertook, whether preparing a homily, teaching a class or making decisions as bishop. He had a great desire to be fair to everyone, and his kindness and charity shone through everything he did.”

“He was a man of immense gifts, but he wore them lightly. He was loved and respected as a priest and bishop, and he will be remembered with enormous affection by his family, fellow priests, former students and so many people whose lives he touched.”

Bishop Peter was an accomplished classical scholar, with an exceptional command of Latin and Greek. He spoke Italian and Spanish and was particularly fluent in French. He was a co-founder and chaplain of the French-speaking Catholic community in Aberdeen, regularly celebrating Mass for its members.

A natural academic and teacher, he was also a preacher of great clarity, who devoted considerable time and care to preparing his homilies.

His interests extended well beyond theology and languages. He enjoyed building and sailing boats, was a fine pianist with an extensive knowledge of classical music and shared a particular enthusiasm for music with his great friend Fr Bill Anderson. He also had a remarkable command of Doric and greatly enjoyed reading Doric poetry.

As a bishop, he took a close interest in the work of SCIAF and was deeply committed to ecumenical relations. He served as Bishop Promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea, the Church's ministry to seafarers, and also represented the Scottish bishops on the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union.

He is survived by his three sisters, including Sr Elizabeth Moran, a Columban Sister, who lived alongside him at Northcote Lodge Care Home.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Bishop Hugh asks the priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Aberdeen and beyond to remember Bishop Peter in their prayers and to pray for his eternal repose.

“May the Lord, whom he served so faithfully throughout his long life, welcome him into the joy of his Kingdom and reward him for his many years of devoted service to Christ, his Church and his people. May he rest in peace.”

...ENDS

Notes to editors

• Photo of Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran: Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran
• The Diocese of Aberdeen serves Catholic communities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, parts of the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland. www.rcda.scot
• Funeral arrangements for Bishop Peter Moran will be announced in due course.
• The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
• For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office, Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Stephen Reilly, a priest of the Diocese of Motherwell, as Acting National Director of Missio Scotland.

He succeeds Fr Vincent Lockhart, also of the Diocese of Motherwell, who served as Acting National Director from 2016 until his formal appointment as National Director in 2018.

Missio Scotland is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Pope's worldwide mission network, supporting parishes, schools and seminaries through prayer and financial assistance. National Directors are appointed by the Holy See on behalf of the Holy Father.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Brian McGee, Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Fr Vincent for his dedicated service over the past ten years. His considerable experience of missionary ministry in Africa has been a great gift to the Church in Scotland.

“We warmly welcome Fr Stephen to this important role. He brings his own unique experience of the missionary Church, which will undoubtedly enrich his new ministry. We assure both priests of our gratitude and support.”

Fr Stephen said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Acting Director of Missio Scotland and honoured to be entrusted with this important role. Having recently returned from two months working in a parish in rural Uganda and visiting the national seminary, I’m looking forward to guiding Missio’s work supporting parishes, schools, and institutes of priestly formation.”

"I'm very much looking forward to working with the Missio team in the office, the diocesan directors, schools and volunteers. As I begin this exciting new ministry, I rely on the prayers of the people of Scotland who have always supported Missio with such selfless generosity."

Fr Vincent, commenting on his ten years leading Missio, said:

“I am very grateful to Pope Francis and Pope Leo to have had the opportunity and privilege to serve the mission of the Church and to support those places where it's small, poor or just beginning.”

"I have been constantly touched and inspired by the generosity of the Catholics of Scotland both in the giving of their prayers and financial support to our brothers and sisters in mission countries."

“I wish Fr Stephen every blessing and have no doubts he will be an excellent national director.”

...ENDS

Notes to editor

• Photo of Fr Stephen Reilly: Fr Stephen Reilly
• Photo of Fr Vincent Lockhart: Fr Vincent Lockhart
• Missio Scotland is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Pope’s worldwide mission network, supporting parishes, schools and seminaries in mission countries through prayer and financial assistance.
• The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
• For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office, Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

Letter from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland to Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the Polish Bishops' Conference

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]