Pope Francis has named Mgr Brian McGee as the new bishop of Argyll and the Isles.
The see, in the west of Scotland, has been vacant since April 2014 when Bishop Joseph Toal was appointed as the Bishop of Motherwell.
Mgr McGee is currently vicar general of the Diocese of Paisley and a parish priest in Port Glasgow.
According to the website of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, Bishop-elect McGee said: “It was very humbling, and indeed frightening, to be informed by the papal nuncio that Pope Francis had nominated me to be the new bishop of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. However, after reflection and prayer I now face this mission with quiet but definite confidence.
“Yes, I remain aware of my limitations but I am even more aware of the power of God’s grace which, with our co-operation, overcomes our shortcomings. Experience has taught me that positively answering God’s invitations is always to our own advantage.”
He continued: “I am excited about coming to the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. It has an ancient and proud heritage whose roots stretch back almost one and a half thousand years preceding even its spiritual father, St Columba. Since then, the consistent witness to Christ and the contribution to the national and universal Church have been immense and I pray that it will continue to be so.
“I am also mindful of the diocese’s rich Gaelic character and I, although not yet a Gaelic speaker, will endeavour to promote its rightful use in the worship of God.”
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