Scottish Catholic Observer

Fr David Boyd of St Columba’s Parish, Renfrew has been appointed administrator of Paisley Diocese.

He fills the vacancy left by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia when he took possession of Glasgow Archdiocese at the celebration of Mass last Saturday.

Surprise

Fr Boyd was elected by the college of consultors, senior priests of the diocese, on Monday and said he was ‘very surprised’ at the result.

“I didn’t expect it at all but the consultors voted and it fell to me,” he said. “It’s an honour to be chosen and I just hope I do the job well and a new bishop is appointed soon.”

Archbishop Tartaglia spoke on Saturday of the high esteem he held the priests of Paisley saying they were a ‘tight-knit, dedicated’ group who would continue to do a ‘great job’ for Paisley in his absence and Fr Boyd said he already received many messages of support.

“I have had lots of support from my fellow priests already,” he said on Tuesday. “They have been emailing, phoning, promising help and prayers which is really good.”

Continuing work

Fr Boyd also said that, as administrator, he intended to keep things going in much the same fashion as before.

“The role is about keeping things going, dealing with the day-to-day and maintaining a holding pattern,” he said. “I obviously will do my best with the support of my fellow priests until the Vatican appoints a new bishop.”

He also said he would continue with his role as parish priest of St Columba’s and hoped his parishioners would be ‘understanding’ at the additional demands the new role would make on his time. He also said that Mgr Gerard Gallagher; the diocesan vicar general for the past decade, would be retained in that role.

Fr Jim Duggan, chancellor of the diocese, and a member of the College of Consultors said they believed Fr Boyd would do an excellent job.

“He was surprised,” he said following the appointment. “But he will receive great support from the consultors and all the priests of Paisley as he represents the diocese.”

Fr Boyd was previously director of formation for the Permanent Diaconate for Paisley Diocese.

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PIC: PAUL McSHERRY