Scottish Catholic Observer

Bishop Toal is currently Bishop of Argyll and the Isles and has been Apostolic administrator of Motherwell Diocese since the bishop’s chair became vacant in May 31 2013, when Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Devine.

Bishop Toal (above) said he had come to feel great affection for his new diocese.

“Over the past 11 months, I have come to know the Diocese of Motherwell and appreciate the warmth and generosity of the clergy and laity, I look forward to deepening that relationship with them,” the bishops said this week. “While I am sad to be leaving my home diocese of Argyll and the Isles, I know the deep faith of the people there will sustain them as they await a new Bishop and I ask them to pray for me as I prepare to translate to the Diocese of Motherwell.”

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said he sympathised ‘with the priests and people of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles on the transfer of their much loved and respected bishop’ but welcomed ‘the nomination of Bishop Joseph Toal as the new Bishop of Motherwell’ and wished ‘him every blessing in his new appointment.’

Frank Cassidy, chancellor of the Motherwell Diocese, said it was a popular appointment.

“We’re all delighted in the diocese,” Mr Cassidy said. “He’s got used to us and we’ve got used to him.”

The date and time of the installation of the new bishop had yet to be been decided as the SCO went to press but it will take place in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral in Motherwell.

The appointment of Bishop Toal, is the fourth Scottish Episcopal appointment made by Pope Francis since his election on March 13 2013. He appointed Archbishop Leo Cushley as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh on July 24 2013, Bishop Stephen Robson as Bishop of Dunkeld on December 11 2013 and Bishop John Keenan as Bishop of Paisley on February 8 2014.

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