SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR ONLY NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SEE PAGE 2 FOR DETAILS No 5289 The ‘sugar bag’ premature baby turns 21 Page Life is sweet for Peter James McGuire, whom readers prayed for 13 No 5419 www.sconews.co.uk Friday June 10 2011 | 90p Pope names new Bishop of Aberdeen I Dom Hugh Gilbert, Abbot of Pluscarden, will succeed Bishop Peter Moran in Aberdeen Diocese By Martin Dunlop Bishop Elect Hugh Gilbert (main) received messages of congratulations from Cardinal Keith O’Brien (inset left), out- POPE Benedict XVI has named Dom Hugh going Bishop Peter Moran (inset middle) and Archbishop Gilbert, the abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, as Mario Conti (inset right) upon his appointment to the new bishop of Aberdeen Diocese and Aberdeen Diocese PICS: PAUL McSHERRY successor to Bishop Peter Moran who has led Hugh’s appointment is a loss to the abbey, there is the diocese since 2003. great gain for Aberdeen Diocese and the wider The Vatican made the announcement last Catholic community of Scotland in his being Saturday and Dom Gilbert, head of the Benedictine named bishop.” community at Pluscarden, has received the congrat- The archbishop added that the news would be ulations of his priestly colleagues and the Catholic ‘particularly welcomed in Aberdeen Diocese, bishops of Scotland, who now look forward to where Pluscarden has warm links with every part celebrating his Episcopal Ordination in August. of the territory and is recognised as a thriving cen- tre of spirituality, monastic practice and culture in Call of Christ the north of Scotland. Abbot Hugh has played a Speaking after the announcement of his nomina- key role in the success story that is Pluscarden tion as bishop, Dom Gilbert, 59, said: “The Holy over the last few decades, a period which has seen Father, Benedict XVI, has nominated me to suc- it expand its influence far and wide.’ ceed Bishop Peter Moran as bishop of Aberdeen. “I also wish to pay warm tribute to my friend As a Catholic Christian and Benedictine monk, I and colleague Bishop Peter Moran whose resigna- accept this as the call of Christ, and, trusting in tion on age and health grounds has now been the help of God and the saints, intend to give accepted,” the archbishop said. “His wise and myself wholeheartedly, like my predecessors, to warm leadership mean that Abbot Hugh will the lay people, religious, priests and deacons of inherit a diocese in fine heart.” this beautiful diocese.” Bishop Moran—who on turning 75, last year, New bishop tendered his resignation as bishop (as required by Dom Gilbert had previously been linked with the Canon Law)—was among the first to congratu- role of Archbishop of Westminster, prior to the late his successor. appointment of Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and “After my nine years at the helm of Aberdeen is renowned for his writing and leadership. The Diocese, seven of them as bishop, I am happy that bishop-elect has published several articles and the Holy Father has named Abbot Hugh Gilbert to two books: Unfolding the Mystery, a collection of take over as my successor,” Bishop Moran said. homilies and conferences on the Liturgical year, “He is, of course, well known in the diocese to cler- and Living the Mystery, a series of reflections on gy and laity alike. I welcome him most warmly.” aspects of Christian life. Bishop Moran added that, during Dom Gilbert’s Born in Emsworth, Hampshire, on March 15 19 years as abbot, Pluscarden Abbey has ‘contin- 1952, Edward Gilbert was baptised in the Church of ued to be the serene spiritual heart’ of Aberdeen England, before converting to Catholicisim at the Diocese. age of 18. He entered the Benedictine Monastery of “I am confident that his spiritual leadership as Pluscarden Abbey in 1974, receiving the name bishop will bring many graces to the members of Hugh. He made his final profession on March 10 the diocese, and to the wider community, in the 1979 and completed his theological studies at the years to come,” Bishop Moran said. former abbey of Fort Augustus. He was ordained a Dom Gilbert’s appointment to Aberdeen is the priest on June 29 1982, becoming novice master in first of several Episcopal nominations expected in 1985 and prior of the monastery at Pluscarden in Scotland in the next two years. 1990. Two years later he was elected abbot. The new bishop of Aberdeen said that it will be Episcopal ordination difficult to say goodbye to a community with Cardinal Keith O’Brien, president of the Bishops’ whom he has spent the past 37 years but is look- Conference of Scotland, will be the principal con- ing forward to taking on his new role. secrator of the new bishop at a Mass, which will are well known outside the confines of his Conference, in an exemplary manner.” “I have much to learn, and it will not be easy to be celebrated at Aberdeen’s St Mary’s Cathedral monastery,” Cardinal O’Brien said. Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, who leave my monastery after 37 years,” he said. “But on August 15 with Bishop Moran and Archbishop “His spirituality and his writings, have inspired ordained Dom Gilbert as a priest when he was for- I do so knowing that I am not going among Mario Conti of Glasgow also present. many throughout Scotland and indeed in other merly bishop of Aberdeen, said he was ‘delighted strangers. I commend myself to the kind hearts The cardinal said he was ‘delighted’ to wel- parts of the world. May God indeed bless him at at the appointment of my second successor.’ and prayers of all whom I am called to serve. come Abbot Gilbert as the new bishop of this present time, as we say a very sincere thanks “The abbot is well known to me,” Archbishop Together in Christ may we shine with the light of Aberdeen and, subsequently, as the newest mem- to his immediate predecessor, Bishop Peter Conti said. “I had the joy of ordaining him priest His Resurrection!” ber of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Moran, who has fulfilled his apostolate as Bishop almost 30 years ago and later of blessing him as “The name and the reputation of Abbot Hugh of Aberdeen and a member of our Bishops’ Abbot of Pluscarden. If it can be said that Abbot I [email protected] THE GREAT HUNGER PREPARATIONS FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI is remembered by World Youth Day calls for defence of Irish community gather pace in the traditional during annual dioceses across family during his Mass at Carfin Scotland visit to Croatia Page 3 Pages 2 & 5 DAY WORLD YOUTH Page 9 visit IRISH MASS AT CARFIN IRISH MASS AT www.sconews.co.uk HOLY FATHER IN CROATIA FATHER HOLY SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday June 10 2011 Diamond jubilee at St John’s for Mgr Rae By Bridget Orr Mgr James Youth Cross comes to Oban Rae and Cardinal CARDINAL Keith O’Brien O’Brien with By Martin Dunlop joined parishioners of St members of John the Evangelist, the monsign- ON ITS way to World Portobello, for the diamond or’s family. Youth Day in Madrid, the jubilee Mass for Mgr James (Left) with Scottish Youth Cross visit- Rae on June 3. Jane McGuire ed Argyll and the Isles Mgr Rae, who has been parish on the right Diocese last week, stop- priest at St John’s for 31 years, PICS: PAUL ping off at a local primary celebrated with parishioners. The McSHERRY school before making the celebration was attended by the journey to Oban’s St children of the parish as well as Columba’s Cathedral for a St John’s longest serving parish- and his predecessor in a variety outstanding bond with the youth prayer service led ioner, 89-year-old Jane McGuire, of ways—not only in his out- Diocese of Moshi in Tanzania. by Bishop Joseph Toal on who has been a member of the standing parish apostolate, but Mgr Rae was elected as Sunday. pared for next week’s ordina- (Top) Bishop Joseph Toal with congregation since birth. also on many committees in the provost of the Metropolitan Prior to Sunday’s service, tion Mass for David Connors, young Catholics and St Mgr Rae was made a monsi- archdiocese during his long years Cathedral Chapter while parish the cross was at St Columba’s while Bishop Toal addressed Columba’s pupils with the Youth gnor of the archdiocese at the age in the priesthood. priest at St John’s. This is Primary School, Oban, where the youth on the theme of this Cross at St Columba’s Cathedral. of 84 as part of St Andrew’s His parish and the schools ‘a mark of his regard by his Canon Donald MacKay cele- year’s World Youth Day, (above, left to right) drama How Feast Day celebrations last year. working in collaboration with brother priests,’ according to the brated Ascension Thursday Planted and built up in Jesus Great is the Cross with Carissa Purcell, Louise Roberts, Matthew He has served Cardinal O’Brien him in his parish area have an cardinal. Mass for the whole school. Christ, firm in the Faith. Morgan, Marie McGeady and Canon MacKay was also Young people from Argyll Nicky Lynas present for Sunday’s prayer and the Isles Diocese and PICS: ANTHONY MacMILLAN service alongside the bishop, beyond are also invited to where young people from the participate in a new Summer them,” Nicky Lynas, retreat diocese processed the cross to Youth Festival with the Craig manager at the Craig Lodge Having difficulty getting the altar and led a drama, Lodge community at community, said.