News from the Ordinariate in Scotland 5th June 2011

New Bishop of Aberdeen

Yesterday in Rome it was announced, that Pope Benedict XVI had nominated Abbot Hugh Gilbert as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen.

He will succeed Bishop Peter Moran who has been Bishop since 2003. Reacting to his appointment, Abbot Hugh who is currently Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey near Elgin said; "The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has nominated me to succeed Bishop Peter Moran as Bishop of Aberdeen. As a Catholic Christian and Benedictine monk, I accept this as the call of Christ, and, trusting in the help of God and the saints, intend to give myself wholeheartedly, like my predecessors, to the lay people, religious, priests and deacons of this beautiful diocese."

The Bishop-elect added; "I have much to learn, and it will not be easy to leave my monastery after 37 years. But I do so knowing that I am not going among strangers. I commend myself to the kind hearts and prayers of all whom I am called to serve. Together in Christ may we shine with the light of his Resurrection!"

Reacting to the announcement, Cardinal Keith O’Brien said; "I am delighted to welcome Abbot Hugh Gilbert, Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, as the new Bishop of Aberdeen - and, consequently, as a member of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. The name and the reputation of Abbot Hugh are well known outside the confines of his monastery. His spirituality and his writings, have inspired many throughout Scotland and indeed in other parts of the world. May God indeed bless him at this present time, as we say a very sincere thanks to his immediate predecessor, Bishop Peter Moran, who has fulfilled his apostolate as Bishop of Aberdeen and a member of our Bishops’ Conference, in an exemplary manner."

We, in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham send our prayers and best wishes to Abbot Hugh as he prepares to take up his new responsibilities. Abbot Hugh and the community at Pluscarden have shown great kindness to us since the setting up of the Ordinariate, not least in making it possible to spend the weekend in St Scholastica’s Retreat House during Lent.

Bishop-Elect Hugh Gilbert was born in Emsworth, Hampshire on 15 March 1952. He was baptised in the Church of England. He became a Roman Catholic at the age of 18. He was educated at St Paul’s School, London, and at King’s College, University of London, where he gained a 1st class degree in History.

He entered the Benedictine monastery of Pluscarden Abbey in 1974, receiving the name Hugh and made his final profession in 1979. He did his theological studies at the Abbey of Fort Augustus, on the shores of Loch Ness, was ordained a priest by Archbishop Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow (and previously Bishop of Aberdeen) in 1982. He became Novice Master in 1985, Prior of the monastery in 1990, and was elected Abbot in 1992.

The Episcopal Ordination of will take place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen on Monday 15 August 2011, the Feast of the Assumption and the Patronal Feast of the Cathedral.

News of Ordinations within the Ordinariate

As the first ordinations to the priesthood of those former Anglican clergy now in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham begin this weekend, Len Black has learned that he is to be Ordained as a Deacon on Thursday 23rd June by Bishop Peter Moran during the Conventual Mass in Pluscarden Abbey.

This news comes as a great joy to Len who says it will demonstrate that the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in Scotland really is about to become a reality as an active body of people within the Catholic Church in Scotland. It is also a great privilege that this will happen in Pluscarden Abbey as it has been his 'spiritual home' for many years. The Conventual Mass begins at 9.30am and all are welcome to attend.

His ordination as a Priest will probably happen in July. Monsignor Keith Newton, our Ordinary, will be speaking this week to Bishop Philip Tartaglia, Bishop of Paisley, who has been given the task by the Bishops of Scotland of looking after the Ordinariate. It is possible that the Ordination will be in St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, and Monsignor Keith hopes also to be present.