New Bishop for Dunkeld Diocese

We congratulate Bishop Andrew McKenzie on his recent ordination as bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, succeeding Bishop Stephen Robson who has retired.

The ordination took place on Saturday 10th August in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee, and was presided over by Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh, with Archbishop William Nolan of Glasgow and Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell as co-consecrators. The celebration took place surrounded by the clergy of Dunkeld Diocese and parishioners and religious from across the diocese as well as many of Bishop McKenzie’s family and friends, former parishioners and others, including his parents, Hugh and Anne.

We at “Priests for Scotland” congratulate him in a particular way since he had been the first National Director of “Priests for Scotland”, a post he held for over ten years, and in which he had, in fact, worked very closely with the then Bishop of Dunkeld, Bishop Vincent Logan, who was tasked with its oversight and development. In addition to his leadership of “Priests for Scotland, Fr Andrew also served in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, including St Michael’s Dumbarton and St Joseph’s Tolcross, where he was Parish Priest and Dean, and as assistant priest at St Andrew’s Cathedral to which he would return as Administrator. It was from there that he left Glasgow for Dunkeld. Ordained for the Archdiocese of Glasgow in 1988, he also served as Director of Liturgy for the Archdiocese and Pastoral Director and lecturer in Liturgy at Scotus College. He brings much experience and many gifts to his new role, and we wish him well and assure him of our prayers.

At the same time, we cannot forget that Bishop McKenzie’s appointment came following the sudden death of Bishop-elect Fr Martin Chambers of Galloway Diocese, whose loss has been a great blow to many. Fr Martin was Vocations Director for the Diocese of Galloway for the past few years and was part of our Vocations Team at Priests for Scotland. We give thanks for his ministry and example of joyful and committed priesthood and pray for the happy repose of his soul.