Death of Fr Martin Chambers
10 April 2024
The Bishop of Galloway, Bishop Frank Dougan has today announced that Fr. Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway who was shortly to be ordained as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, has died.
Bishop Dougan said:
“It was with a heavy heart and the deepest sadness that I learned today of the death of
Fr. Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld. I know his family and the people of Galloway diocese who knew him and loved him will be deeply shocked and dismayed at his untimely death. Together we give thanks for the selfless service he gave to our diocese; we recognise the enormous contribution he made to support some of the poorest communities in Ecuador and we pray for the repose of his soul.”
“To know Martin was to know a man of love, enthusiasm, humour and a deep faith which enlivened all that he did.”
Bishop Dougan added:
“On behalf of the Diocese of Galloway I offer our deepest condolences and the promise of our prayers to Martin’s family as they come to terms with his loss, our prayers too are with the people of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who were preparing to welcome him as their bishop in two weeks’ time on 27 April. We give thanks to God for the great service of a selfless priest and pray for his eternal rest.”
Funeral details will be shared when they become available.
On Friday 12th April 2024, Dunkeld’s Diocesan Administrator, Canon Kevin Golden, delivered this Homily during the Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee as priest and people gathered together, with members of Fr Martin’s family, on hearing of the death of their Bishop Elect.
Ordination of Rt Rev Francis Dougan as
Bishop of Galloway
Ordination Mass
The Ordination Mass of Fr Frank Dougan as the ninth Bishop of Galloway will take place on Saturday 9th March and will be livestreamed on YouTube (@RCGalloway) and Facebook (/GallowayDiocese). The stream will begin at 10.30 am, with the Mass beginning at 11.00 am. To follow at home, the Order of Service for the Mass can be downloaded by clicking here.
To watch the livestream online,
click here or use the
embedded player.
Mass of Reception
Bishop Dougan will formally be received into St Margaret's Cathedral on Sunday 10th March. The Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube (@RCGalloway) and Facebook (/GallowayDiocese). The stream will begin at 2.30 pm, with the Mass beginning at 3.00 pm. To follow at home, the Order of Service for the Mass can be downloaded by clicking here.
To watch the livestream online, click here or use the embedded player.
The See of Whithorn
Synodality - the next steps
Below are the directions, developed and approved by the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod, on the steps to be taken in the months between now and the Second Session of the Synodal Assembly (October 2024), enabling us to continue the journey initiated by the Holy Father on 9 October 2021:
For a Synodal Church. Communion, participation, mission.
Bishop Maurice Taylor 1926 - 2023
Archbishop William Nolan said:
“As a young priest in East Kilbride, Bishop Maurice Taylor led a very active and vibrant parish, inspired by Vatican II. As a Bishop he had an energy that few could keep up with and as a retired Bishop he was very active in the diocese until recent years supplying for clergy. He managed to find time to write four books, which displayed his sharp mind and keen sense of humour. May his soul rest in peace.”
Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
“I was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Emeritus Maurice Taylor and offer heartfelt condolences and the promise of my prayers for the repose of his soul to the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Galloway, whom he served so fondly.”
