Previous Bishops
The See of Whithorn
The See of Whithorn is associated from the late fourth century with Saint Ninian but it is possible a Christian community existed there before his arrival. There was a continuous succession of bishops in the eighth century. The See was revived circa 1128 and recognised the metropolitan authority of York until 1355. It became a suffragan of St Andrew’s in 1472 and of Glasgow in 1492. The See was, in effect, vacant from the death of Andrew Drurie (1541-1558) since his sucessor, Alexander Gordon, conformed at the Reformation in 1560, and it remained vacant until the restoration of the hierarchy in 1878.
Bishop William Nolan (2015-2022)
William Nolan was born on 26th January 1954, the fourth of eleven children born to William and Catherine Nolan (both deceased). He was baptised in St Patrick’s Church, Craigneuk and educated at Cathedral Primary School in Motherwell, St Patrick’s Primary, Craigneuk, St Vincent’s College, Langbank (1965-67), and St Mary’s College, Blairs (1967-71). His senior seminary formation was at the Scots College, Rome (1971-78) where he graduated with a Licence in Sacred Theology.
Father Nolan was ordained priest for the Diocese of Motherwell on 30th June 1977. He has ministered as assistant priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1978-1980; assistant priest of St David’s, Plains, 1980-1983; vice-rector of the Scots College, Rome, 1983-1990; assistant priest of St Bridget’s, Baillieston, 1990-1994; parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1994 to February 2015. He has held the posts of chairman of the Council of Priests, 1992-1998; chairman of the Committee for Ongoing Formation of Priests, 1993-2004; administrator, St John Ogilvie, Vicar General of Motherwell Diocese, June 2014 to February 2015.
Bishop Nolan was nominated as Bishop of Galloway on 22nd November 2014 by Pope Francis, and Ordained in the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock on 14th February 2015 by Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh.
Bishop Nolan was appointed by Pope Francis as the Archbishop of Glasgow on February 4th 2022. He was translated to the Archdiocese of Glasgow on 26 February 2022.
Bishop John Cunningham (2004-2014)
John Cunningham was born in Paisley on the 22nd February 1938. He completed his formation first at St Mary’s College, Blairs, before going on to St Peter’s College, Cardross.
Father John was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Paisley on the 29th June 1961. Following his Ordination he went on to study Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome which he received his JCD in 1964. He has ministered as: Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishopton, 1964-69; Chaplain, Moredun Convent, Paisley, 1969-74; Assistant Priest, Saint Columba’s, Renfrew, 1974-86; Parish Priest, Saint Patrick’s, Greenock, 1992-2004.
In addition to his parish ministry, Father John held the following positions: Extra-mural professor of Canon Law, Saint Peter’s College, Cardross and Newlands (Glasgow), 1967-81; Officialis, Scottish National Tribunal, 1986-92; Papal Chaplain, 1994; Vicar General, Diocese of Paisley, 1997-2004; Prelate of Honour, 1999.
Bishop John was nominated as Bishop of Galloway on 7th April 2004 by Pope John Paul II, and Ordained in Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr on 28th May 2004 by Keith Patrick O’Brien, Cardinal Archbishop of Saint Andrew’s and Edinburgh. He adopted as his episcopal motto: “Congregare in unum” (To bring together as one).
On the 22nd November 2014 Bishop John retired as Bishop of Galloway. He died in Greenock on the 1st December 2021. The obituary extract from the Order of Service for Bishop John’s Requiem Mass can be downloaded here.
Bishop Maurice Taylor (1981-2004)
Maurice Taylor was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, on the 5th May 1926. He was ordained a priest in Rome on the 2nd July, 1950.
Father Maurice held a number of different roles and appointments during his ministry, including being on the staff of St Peter’s College, Cardross from August 1955. From 1965 until 1974 he was rector of the Royal Scots College, Valladolid, Spain.
On the 4th April 1981 Pope John Paul II nominated Father Maurice as Bishop of Galloway. He was subsequently ordained on the 9th June 1981 by the late Cardinal Gray at an open-air Mass at Fatima House, Coodham. He adopted as his episcopal motto: “Ambula coram Deo” (Walk in the presence of God).
During his Episcopate Bishop Maurice was also vice-president of the Catholic Institute for International Relations (now Progressio) (London), and a member of the Episcopal Board of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), representing Scotland on that body; from 1997 until 2002 he was also also chairman.
On the 7th April 2004 Bishop Maurice retired as Bishop of Galloway. He died at Dundonald, Ayrshire, on the 14th June 2023, at which time he was Britain’s oldest living bishop. The obituary extract from the Order of Service for Bishop Maurice’s Requiem Mass can be downloaded here. During his life Bishop Maurice authored a number of books, you can find a full list as well as download links here.
Bishop Joseph Michael McGee (1952-1981)
Bishop Joseph Michael McGee: born Monzievaird and Strowan, Perthshire, 13th December 1904; priest Valladolid, 25th May 1929; nominated bishop of Galloway, 19th July 1952 and consecrated at Dumfries 11th November 1952; resigned, 4th April 1981; died Prestwick, 5th March 1983.
Bishop William Henry Mellon (Coadjutor 1935-1943; Bishop 1943-1952)
Bishop Willam Henry Mellon: born Edinburgh, 6th January 1877; priest, Rome, 29th March 1902, nominated titular bishop of Daulia and coadjutor bishop of Galloway, 21st August 1935, and consecrated at Edinburgh, 28th October 1935; succeeded to Galloway, 24th December 1943, died Dumfries, 2nd February 1952.
Bishop James William McCarthy (1914-1943)
Bishop James William McCarthy: born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, 30th January 1853; priest, Glasgow, 4th May 1879; nominated bishop of Galloway, 25th May 1914, and consecrated at Dumfries, 9th June 1914; died Dumfries, 24th December 1943.
Bishop William Turner (1893-1914)
Bishop William Turner born Aberdeen, 12th December 1844; priest, Rome 26th April 1868; nominated bishop of Galloway, 16th June 1893, and consecrated at Dumfries, 25th July 1893; died Dumfries, 19th January 1914.
Bishop John McLachlan (1878-1893)
Bishop John McLachlan: born at Glasgow, 7th September 1826; priest, Rome 16th March 1850; nominated bishop of Galloway, 22nd March 1878, and consecrated at Glasgow, 23rd May 1878; died Dumfries, 16th January 1893.