Scottish Catholic Observer

Fr Peter Macdonald said his journey from married man, to deacon, to priest had not ‘only been wonderful but serendipitous.’

“Like all journeys what does make it so special are those whom we encounter and who accompany us on the way,” he said. “The only person who really knew me was my dear, very patient wife, Bernadette who travelled with me on the journey for 43 years, 39 as husband and wife. We lived a life which revolved around faith and family, family and faith.”

After his wife passed away in 2011 he began to explore the idea of joining the priesthood but said he was drawn to the Faith as a young man.

“In my late teens/early twenties I was drawn to visiting the Friary in Edinburgh, didn’t know why, but I would just sit there in peace and tranquillity,” he said. “After instruction I was Baptised in St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh and soon married. Two years later I was confirmed after a St Vincent de Paul meeting in St Theresa’s, Craigmillar, Edinburgh. As a parishioner in Portleten, Aberdeen, I was inspired by the faith and dedication of Deacon John Futers and approached him about the Permanent Diaconate. Deacon John said to me: ‘It’s not all about being dressed up and standing in the sanctuary.’ I said that’s the bit I don’t fancy very much and today that hasn’t changed.”

He said that ‘Archbishop Mario Conti was gracious enough to ordain me on the 18th of March 2000, to the Permanent Diaconate at St Peter’s Castlegate,’ the same church where he celebrated his first Mass with the support and guidance of Fr Gabor Czako’ on June 14.

Fr Macdonald says he ‘later served under Bishop Peter Moran and of course latterly under Bishop Hugh Gilbert who has accepted me, despite my unworthiness, for the presbyterate.’

Bishop Hugh Gilbert said ‘Deacon Peter Macdonald, a convert to Catholicism as a young man and a former employee of Shell, has already given sterling service to the diocese in a variety of roles—as diocesan treasurer, parish administrator, and chaplain to prisons and the children’s hospital.’

“He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Mario Conti in 2000,” the bishop added. “Some time after the unexpected passing of his beloved wife, Bernadette, in 2011, the idea of receiving priestly ordination began to develop. Permanent Deacons being permanent by definition, permission needed to be sought from the Holy See.

“It was obtained and so after a period of apprenticeship in a parish and some further studies at Allen Hall Seminary in London, this father and grandfather, this already well-known and appreciated figure in our diocese, was ordained to the priesthood. One can only wonder at Peter’s Odyssey. It is a privilege for me as Bishop to be conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders on such a man. May the diocese be blessed by many years of his priestly ministry.”

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—This story ran in full in the June 17 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.