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Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles

The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Scotland, in the Province of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.

Overview

The diocese covers an area of 31,080 km² and has a Catholic population of 10,546 (14.1%) out of a total population of 74,546 (2006 figures). The see is in the town of Oban where the seat is located at St Columba's Cathedral.

History

The diocese was erected on 5 March 1878 following the restoration of the Scottish Catholic hierarchy. On 28 December 2015 Pope Francis appointed Father Brian McGee to succeed the Right Reverend Joseph Toal as eleventh Bishop of Argyll and the Isles.

Timeline

After its establishment in 1878, the seat of the diocese was in various buildings each overlapping the same site:

  • 5 March 1878: The Scottish Catholic hierarchy is restored and the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles is erected. There was no cathedral, and the bishop resided in, what became, the Cathedral House. It was bought from the Society of Jesus who previously used it as a summer retreat house.
  • Early 1880s: A wooden building served as the pro-cathedral for the diocese. It was located on the site of the Cathedral Hall.
  • 1886: A church made of corrugated iron became the pro-cathedral. It was known as the 'Tin Cathedral' and was given to the diocese by the Marquess of Bute.
  • 1919: Bishop Donald Martin decided to build a permanent cathedral.
  • 14 September 1932: The foundation stone of St Columba's Cathedral was laid.
  • 29 October 1933: The 'Tin Cathedral' was demolished to allow space for the cathedral to be finished. Worship continued in the Cathedral Hall.
  • 25 December 1934: The cathedral was opened.

Deaneries and parishes

The diocese is organised into three deaneries each with several parishes:

  • St Andrew's Deanery

Dean: Fr Michael Hutson

Dean: Fr Roddy McAuley

Dean: Fr Michael MacDonald

Education

There are Catholic primary schools in Rothesay, Oban, Dunoon and Fort William.

Bishops

Past and present ordinaries

The following is a list of the Bishops of Argyll and the Isles<nowiki>:</nowiki>

Coadjutor Bishop

See also

References

External links