Scottish Catholic Observer

Mgr Peter Smith, former chancellor of Glasgow Archdiocese (above), is returning from a secondment to the Holy See’s Mission to the United Nations in New York as part of September clergy changes within Glasgow Archdiocese.

Mgr Smith will replace Fr Joseph Lappin as parish priest of St Paul’s, Whiteinch.

Mgr Smith formerly served in St Mary’s, Calton, and as assistant priest in St Anne’s, Dennistoun. He served Glasgow Archdiocese for almost 25 years before his departure, and had previously completed his masters in canon law in the US.

Mgr Smith was appointed to the Holy See position in January 2012, taking up the post in March, and was originally reported to be on a three-year placement with the UN. Earlier this year the monsignor was named, due to his past association with the now-closed Springboig St John’s School, in a case raised by Glasgow City Council concerning a Strathclyde Pension Fund problem.

With Mgr Smith’s return, Fr Lappin will take up a new role as parish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Dennistoun.

Fr Lappin was ordained in 2001 and has been parish priest at St Paul’s for more than four years. He will succeed Fr Thomas Kilbride who is leaving Our Lady of Good Counsel after having been appointed Rector of the Royal Scots College Spain, where he will begin his new work on October 1.

In addition to his new role in Dennistoun, Fr Lappin will take over from Fr Kilbride as director of Religious Education for Glasgow Archdiocese, taking up the appointment on September 22. The clergy changes will be effective from Friday September 19.

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