Scottish Catholic Observer

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.”

Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen, who tendered his resignation when he reached his 75th birthday as required by cannon law, responded to the news.

“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.

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.  The principal consecrator of the new bishop will be Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, with the co-consecrators being Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow and previous bishop of Aberdeen, along with Bishop Peter Moran, the immediate predecessor of the new bishop.

Pic: From left to right: Br Vincent, Fr Gregory, Fr Bede, Br Isidore,
Abbot Hugh Gilbert of Pluscarden Abbey, Br Jerome Leo, Fr Anselm and Br Bernar