Pope Francis has today (Saturday 8 February 2014) appointed Fr John Keenan, as Bishop of Paisley.
The
Diocese of Paisley has been vacant since September 2012, when Bishop
Philip Tartaglia became Archbishop of Glasgow. Fr David Boyd has been
the Administrator of the Diocese in the interim.
Reacting
to the announcement, Bishop-Elect Keenan said; “While nervous at my
appointment, I have been very uplifted at the congratulations and good
wishes I have received so far which have given more confidence.
Everyone I speak to says Paisley is a wonderful diocese with good
priests and people full of faith. I am looking forward to being with my
brother priests, many of whom I already know really well, and getting to
know the people and the parishes of the diocese. I hope just to settle
in and listen a lot.”
“At
the same time I leave Glasgow with a heavy heart. I have loved my
priesthood there from the very beginning and know I have family and many
friends who will continue supporting me. This is an exciting time in
the Church under Pope Francis' lively leadership and I hope to put as
much of his vision into my own personal life and ministry as I can. I
know many people in Paisley and Glasgow will be praying for me and I
thank them very much.”
Welcoming
the appointment of his successor, Archbishop Tartaglia said; “I welcome
the appointment of Father John Keenan as Bishop of Paisley. As
Archbishop of Glasgow, I am glad that a priest of the Archdiocese has
been named by Pope Francis as Bishop of Paisley. Father Keenan has been a
much-loved and respected Parish Priest, and an inspirational Catholic
Chaplain to Glasgow University (Turnbull Hall). His appointment gives me
a huge headache in trying to replace him. But, in the Church, when one
part of the body is made stronger, the whole body benefits. So, in this
case, Paisley’s delight is Glasgow’s joy, and I am certain that Fr
Keenan will be a fine bishop for Paisley.
As
a former of Bishop of Paisley, I am very happy that the Diocese of
Paisley now has a new Bishop. It’s a great diocese and very supportive
of its bishops. Bishop-Elect John Keenan can expect a warm and heartfelt
welcome throughout the diocese. I was very happy as Bishop of Paisley
and I am sure he will be too.
And
as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, along with my
brother-bishops, I will be delighted to welcome our new colleague to the
Bishops’ Conference. We know that John is a very gifted priest, and we
look forward with anticipation to his contribution as a bishop to the
work of the Conference.”
Commenting on the appointment, Fr David Boyd said:
"I
was absolutely delighted to hear that the Holy Father, Pope Francis,
had nominated as bishop of Paisley Diocese Fr. John Keenan. Over the
past seventeen months since Archbishop Tartaglia left for Glasgow we
have been praying at many masses in our diocese for, "a pastor who will
please you by his holiness and to show us watchful care". I am certain
that in Bishop Elect John Keenan, that prayer has been answered. On
behalf of Bishop Emeritus John Mone, the priests and deacons and lay
faithful of the Diocese of Paisley, I can assure Bishop Elect John a
very warm welcome and the assurance of our prayers and support. Over
the past seventeen months, as Administrator, I have been taken aback
time and time again by the support, energy and good will of all the
clergy and people of this Diocese. I am certain that Bishop Elect John
will also experience this and that we will hopefully make him feel at
home very quickly"(H/T Catholic Truth Scotland Blog:Here)
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