Brief History
The See of Whithorn is associated from the late fourth century with St. Ninian but it is possible that a Christian community existed there before his arrival. There was a continuous succession of bishops in the eighth century. The See was revived c. 1128 and recognized the metropolitan authority of York until 1355. It became a suffragan of St. Andrews in 1472 and of Glasgow in 1492. The See was, in effect, vacant from the death of Andrew Durie (1541 – 1558) since his successor, Alexander Gordon, conformed at the Reformation in 1560, and it remained vacant until the restoration of the hierarchy in 1878.
A Few Details
Since the traditional date of its foundation is 397 AD, the Diocese of Galloway celebrated its 16th centenary in 1997. On that occasion Pope John Paul II sent a message to the bishop, priests and all those gathered in pilgrimage at St. Ninian’s Cave, near Whithorn.
As the Church in Scotland returns in memory to its origins and celebrates the l600th Anniversary of the arrival of Saint Ninian in Galloway in 397 AD, I send you cordial greetings in the Lord. The life and apostolate of Saint Ninian are traditionally considered as marking the introduction of Christianity into your country. This then is a time for all Scottish Christians to give thanks to our Heavenly Father who, through his chosen instruments, especially Ninian, Mungo and Columba, caused to shine in your hearts ‘the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.’ (2 Cor 4:6)
A Briton by birth, Ninian’s education was essentially Roman and after his ordination as a Bishop, probably in Rome, he returned to Scotland as its first missionary. His foundation of Candida Casa in Galloway in South-west Scotland, later to be known as Whithorn, was the beginning of a vital centre of monastic spiritual life and evangelizing activity which, under Ninian’s inspiration, spread the Gospel message northwards and eastwards over much of the country, as witnessed to in so many place-names and local traditions which refer to him. Ninian’s mission to Scotland should be seen as a part of the wider picture of the great missionary enterprises which brought Christianity to every corner of Europe during the first Millennium.
Now, as we approach the Third Christian Millennium, we realize that Europe - and Scotland not least - has undergone such cultural, political, social and economic transformations, that a new evangelization is necessary and essential. All who consider themselves followers of Christ must hear the call to a deeper faith and a more convincing witness of Christian living. Your anniversary celebration is an important moment in the preparation which the whole Church is making for the forthcoming Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Ninian directs you to Christ. It was Christ’s message that he preached, Christ’s Paschal Mystery that he made sacramentally present, Christ’s Church that he founded on Scottish soil. To remember Saint Ninian is to recommit yourselves to the evangelizing and sanctifying work to which he devoted his life. In addition, all must feel the urgent need for efforts to speed the process of reconciliation between divided Christians, ‘so that we can celebrate the Great Jubilee, if not completely united, at least much closer to overcoming the divisions of the second millennium.’ (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 34)
May the Solemn Mass which on 31 August you will celebrate a short distance from Whithorn, at the mouth of what is called Saint Ninian’s Cave, and which will commemorate the l600th Anniversary of the Saint’s arrival at this very spot, be an act of fervent thanksgiving for the life and fidelity of the Church in your land since the beginning. May it be an ardent prayer that the time may be shortened for all believers in Christ to be able with one voice to glorify God together. (Rom 15:6) From the Vatican, 29 June 1997, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Joannes Paulus II.
The Catholic bishops of Scotland were present at the National Pilgrimage to Ninian’s cave in 1997: Cardinal Thomas J. Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow, was principal celebrant; Bishop Maurice Taylor preached. The event was a highlight in a year which had already seen Ninian reach a wider audience through the world premiere of Ninian – Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra by James MacMillan, the renowned composer whose roots lie in the Galloway diocese. Using themes from the concerto, MacMillan has also composed The Galloway Mass for congregational use, with optional parts for choir. It is dedicated to Bishop Taylor and was sung at the 1997 pilgrimage.
To mark the 16th Centenary the Diocese of Galloway also published “The See of Ninian : A History of the Medieval Diocese of Whithorn and the Diocese of Galloway in Modern Times”. Obtainable from Galloway Diocesan Pastoral Office, 8 Corsehill Road, Ayr KA7 2ST, Scotland. Price £10.