Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI has named Dom Hugh Gilbert, the abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, as the new bishop of Aberdeen Diocese and successor to Bishop Peter Moran who has led the diocese since 2003.

The Vatican made the announcement last Saturday and Dom Gilbert, head of the Benedictine community at Pluscarden, has received the congratulations of his priestly colleagues and the Catholic bishops of Scotland, who now look forward to celebrating his Episcopal Ordination in August.

Call of Christ

Speaking after the announcement of his nomination as bishop, Dom Gilbert, 59, 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.”

Bishop Moran—who on turning 75, last year, tendered his resignation as bishop (as required by Canon Law)—was among the first to congratulate his successor.

“After my nine years at the helm of Aberdeen Diocese, seven of them as bishop, I am happy that the Holy Father has named Abbot Hugh Gilbert to take over as my successor,” Bishop Moran said. “He is, of course, well known in the diocese to clergy and laity alike. I welcome him most warmly.”

Bishop Moran added that, during Dom Gilbert’s 19 years as abbot, Pluscarden Abbey has ‘continued to be the serene spiritual heart’ of Aberdeen Diocese.

“I am confident that his spiritual leadership as bishop will bring many graces to the members of the diocese, and to the wider community, in the years to come,” Bishop Moran said.

Dom Gilbert’s appointment to Aberdeen is the first of several Episcopal nominations expected in Scotland in the next two years.

Episcopal ordination

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, will be the principal consecrator of the new bishop at a Mass, which will be celebrated at Aberdeen’s St Mary’s Cathedral on August 15 with Bishop Moran and Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow also present.

The cardinal said he was ‘delighted’ to welcome Abbot Gilbert as the new bishop of Aberdeen and, subsequently, as the newest member of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

“The name and the reputation of Abbot Hugh are well known outside the confines of his monastery,” Cardinal O’Brien said.

“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.”

Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, who ordained Dom Gilbert as a priest when he was formerly bishop of Aberdeen, said he was ‘delighted at the appointment of my second successor.’

“The abbot is well known to me,” Archbishop Conti said. “I had the joy of ordaining him priest almost 30 years ago and later of blessing him as Abbot of Pluscarden. If it can be said that Abbot Hugh’s appointment is a loss to the abbey, there is great gain for Aberdeen Diocese and the wider Catholic community of Scotland in his being named bishop.”

The archbishop added that the news would be ‘particularly welcomed in Aberdeen Diocese, where Pluscarden has warm links with every part of the territory and is recognised as a thriving centre of spirituality, monastic practice and culture in the north of Scotland. Abbot Hugh has played a key role in the success story that is Pluscarden over the last few decades, a period which has seen it expand its influence far and wide.’

“I also wish to pay warm tribute to my friend and colleague Bishop Peter Moran whose resignation on age and health grounds has now been accepted,” the archbishop said. “His wise and warm leadership mean that Abbot Hugh will inherit a diocese in fine heart.”

New bishop

Dom Gilbert had previously been linked with the role of Archbishop of Westminster, prior to the appointment of Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and is renowned for his writing and leadership. The bishop-elect has published several articles and two books: Unfolding the Mystery, a collection of homilies and conferences on the Liturgical year, and Living the Mystery, a series of reflections on aspects of Christian life.

Born in Emsworth, Hampshire, on March 15 1952, Edward Gilbert was baptised in the Church of England, before converting to Catholicisim at the age of 18. He entered the Benedictine Monastery of Pluscarden Abbey in 1974, receiving the name Hugh. He made his final profession on March 10 1979 and completed his theological studies at the former abbey of Fort Augustus. He was ordained a priest on June 29 1982, becoming novice master in 1985 and prior of the monastery at Pluscarden in 1990. Two years later he was elected abbot.

The new bishop of Aberdeen said that it will be difficult to say goodbye to a community with whom he has spent the past 37 years but is looking forward to taking on his new role.

“I have much to learn, and it will not be easy to leave my monastery after 37 years,” he said. “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!”

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