Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis’ selection was announced this morning.

“While nervous at my appointment, I have been very uplifted at the congratulations and good wishes I have received so far which have given more confidence,” Bishop-Elect Keenan (above) said. “Everyone I speak to says Paisley is a wonderful diocese with good priests and people full of faith. I am looking forward to being with my brother priests, many of whom I already know really well, and getting to know the people and the parishes of the diocese. I hope just to settle in and listen a lot.”

“At the same time I leave Glasgow with a heavy heart. I have loved my priesthood there from the very beginning and know I have family and many friends who will continue supporting me.”

The bishop’s chair in Paisley Diocese has been vacant since September 2012, when Bishop Philip Tartaglia became Archbishop of Glasgow.

“Fr Keenan has been a much-loved and respected parish priest, and an inspirational Catholic chaplain to Glasgow University (Turnbull Hall),” Archbishop Tartaglia said. “His appointment gives me a huge headache in trying to replace him. But, in the Church, when one part of the body is made stronger, the whole body benefits. So, in this case, Paisley’s delight is Glasgow’s joy, and I am certain that Fr Keenan will be a fine bishop for Paisley… It’s a great diocese and very supportive of its bishops.”

Fr David Boyd, administrator of Paisley Diocese in the interim, also offered Bishop-Elect Keenan a warm welcome.

“Over the past 17 months since Archbishop Tartaglia left for Glasgow we have been praying at many Masses in our diocese for, ‘a pastor who will please you by his holiness and to show us watchful care,'” Fr Boyd said. “I am certain that in Bishop-Elect John Keenan, that prayer has been answered. On behalf of Bishop Emeritus John Mone, the priests and deacons and lay faithful of the Diocese of Paisley, I can assure Bishop Elect John a very warm welcome and the assurance of our prayers and support.”

The appointment of Bishop-Elect Keenan is the third 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 and Bishop Stephen Robson as Bishop of Dunkeld on December 11 2013.

Motherwell Diocese is now the only Scottish Diocese currently without a bishop. Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles is currently the apostolic administrator of that diocese.

Pic by Robert Wilson: Bishop-Elect John Keenan at a pro-life rally in Glasgow’s George Square last year.