The Holy Father has appointed Bishop William Nolan of Galloway as metropolitan archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland.
Bishop William Nolan was born on January 26, 1954, in Motherwell, in the diocese of the same name. After attending the minor seminaries of Saint Vincent in Langabank (1965-1967) and Blairs in Aberdeen (1967-1971), from 1971 to 1978 he studied philosophy and theology in Rome at the Pontifical Scottish Seminary, where he was awarded a degree in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Motherwell on June 30, 1977.
From 1978 to 1980 he served as parish vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes in East Kilbride, and from 1980 to 1983 at Saint David in Plains. After an experience as vice-rector of the Pontifical Scottish College in Rome (1988-1991), from 1991 to 1994 he served as parish vicar of Saint Bridget’s in Bailleston.
From 1994 he was parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in East Kilbride, and at the same time judge of the National Ecclesiastical Tribunal in Scotland, dean of his zone, head of permanent formation of the clergy of the diocese of Motherwell, member, and vice-president of the Presbyteral Council, and finally vicar general of Motherwell.
He was elected bishop of Galloway on November 22, 2014, receiving episcopal ordination on February 14, 2015.
Within the Scottish Episcopal Conference, he chairs the Justice and Peace Commission.
Reacting to the announcement, Bishop Nolan said: “I feel overwhelmed by the trust Pope Francis is putting in me by appointing me as Archbishop of Glasgow. It will be wrench for me to leave Galloway Diocese where for seven years I have experienced the kindness and friendship of so many people, particularly the clergy. God truly blessed me by sending me to Galloway and I hope that my successor there will be similarly blessed.
“As I overcome my initial shock at being appointed Archbishop my thoughts now turn to the challenges that lies ahead. I look forward to working with everyone in the Archdiocese, laity, and clergy, to carry out the mission that we share of proclaiming God’s good news and of bringing the joy of the gospel into the lives of the people of today.”
Bishop Nolan added: “I am well aware of my own inadequacies and of the difficulties the Church faces today. Thank God therefore that we can be sure of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the Church. As I leave the Diocese of Galloway behind, from now on I belong to Glasgow. And I assure the people of Glasgow of my commitment and dedication to them. Please remember me in your prayers.”
