Diocese of Paisley
Encyclopedia
The Diocese of Paisley is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Scotland
. Erected on 25 May 1947 from the Archdiocese of Glasgow
the diocese covers the historic county of Renfrewshire
(now the local government areas of Renfrewshire
, East Renfrewshire
and Inverclyde
) and is 580 km² (223.9 sq mi) in area making it the smallest diocese by area in Scotland. In 2004 the Catholic population of the diocese was 79,400 out of a total population of 342,000 (23.2%). The diocese comprises 36 parish
es served by 74 priest
s (2004 figures). The diocese is divided into three deaneries
namely St Mirin's Deanery (Renfrewshire
), St Mary's Deanery (Inverclyde
) and St John's Deanery (East Renfrewshire
).
The mother house of the religious society the Jericho Benedictines
is in the village of Kilbarchan
, near the town of Johnstone
within the diocese.
The Diocese is led by the Bishop of Paisley
, currently the Right Reverend Philip Tartaglia
who is the fourth incumbent. The mother church
of the diocese and seat of the bishop is St Mirin's Cathedral
in the town of Paisley
. The motto
of the diocese is "For the Good of Souls".
St Mirin
, the Diocese of Paisley celebrated its Diamond Jubilee
. To mark the occasion a mass
concelebrated by His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St. James the Most Rev Faustino Sainz Muñoz
, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
His Eminence Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien, the Archbishop of Glasgow
the Most Rev Mario Conti, the Bishop of Motherwell
the Rt Rev Joseph Devine
, the Bishop of Aberdeen
the Rt Rev Peter Moran
, the Bishop of Galloway
the Rt Rev John Cunningham
, the Emeritus Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev John Mone
, the Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev Philip Tartaglia and many priests of the diocese took place in St Mirin's Cathedral. Present at the mass were a large number of civic dignitaries and representatives of other churches in Paisley. Representing Her Majesty the Queen were the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire
Mr Guy Clark and his deputy Mr James Wardrop.
made a brief visit to the Diocese of Paisley when he departed from Glasgow Airport
, which lies within the diocese to the north of the town of Paisley, for London Heathrow Airport
after celebrating Mass at Bellahouston Park
in Glasgow
. There to wish him farewell from Scotland were the Provost
of Renfrewshire
Councillor Celia Lawson and the Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev Philip Tartaglia .
:
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Erected on 25 May 1947 from the Archdiocese of Glasgow
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow
The Archdiocese of Glasgow is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. Glasgow first became an archbishopric in 1492, eventually securing the dioceses of Galloway, Argyll and the Isles as suffragans....
the diocese covers the historic county of Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire (historic)
Renfrewshire or the County of Renfrew is a registration county, the Lieutenancy area of the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, and one of the counties of Scotland used for local government until 1975. Renfrewshire is located in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland, south of the River Clyde,...
(now the local government areas of Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. Until 1975 it formed part of the county of Renfrewshire for local government purposes along with the modern council areas of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde...
and Inverclyde
Inverclyde
Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Together with the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire council areas, Inverclyde forms part of the historic county of Renfrewshire - which current exists as a registration county and lieutenancy area - located in the west...
) and is 580 km² (223.9 sq mi) in area making it the smallest diocese by area in Scotland. In 2004 the Catholic population of the diocese was 79,400 out of a total population of 342,000 (23.2%). The diocese comprises 36 parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
es served by 74 priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s (2004 figures). The diocese is divided into three deaneries
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
namely St Mirin's Deanery (Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
), St Mary's Deanery (Inverclyde
Inverclyde
Inverclyde is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Together with the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire council areas, Inverclyde forms part of the historic county of Renfrewshire - which current exists as a registration county and lieutenancy area - located in the west...
) and St John's Deanery (East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. Until 1975 it formed part of the county of Renfrewshire for local government purposes along with the modern council areas of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde...
).
The mother house of the religious society the Jericho Benedictines
Jericho Benedictines
The Jericho Benedictines are a Society of Apostolic Life which is one of the forms of religious community within the Latin branch of the Catholic Church.-History:...
is in the village of Kilbarchan
Kilbarchan
Kilbarchan is a village and civil parish in central Renfrewshire, in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. The village's name means "cell of St. Barchan". It is known for its former weaving industry.- History :...
, near the town of Johnstone
Johnstone
Johnstone is a town in the council area of Renfrewshire and larger historic county of the same name in the west central Lowlands of Scotland.The town lies three miles west of neighbouring Paisley and twelve miles west of the centre of the city of Glasgow...
within the diocese.
The Diocese is led by the Bishop of Paisley
Bishop of Paisley
The Bishop of Paisley is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley in the Province of Glasgow.The diocese covers an area of and is the smallest by area in Scotland. The see is in the town of Paisley where the seat is located at St Mirin's Cathedral.The diocese was erected on 25 May...
, currently the Right Reverend Philip Tartaglia
Philip Tartaglia
The Right Reverend Philip Tartaglia is the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley, Scotland. He has been described as a conservative in religious and moral issues.-Early life:...
who is the fourth incumbent. The mother church
Mother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
of the diocese and seat of the bishop is St Mirin's Cathedral
St Mirin's Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Mirin in Paisley, dedicated to Saint Mirin the patron saint of Paisley, is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Paisley and is the seat of the Bishop of Paisley.-History:...
in the town of Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
. The motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of the diocese is "For the Good of Souls".
60th Anniversary
On 15 September 2008, the feast day of its patron saintPatron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
St Mirin
Saint Mirin
Saint Mirin or Mirren, an Irish monk and missionary , is also known as Mirren of Benchor , Merinus, Merryn and Meadhrán. The patron saint of the town and Roman Catholic diocese of Paisley, Scotland, he was the founder of a religious community which grew to become Paisley Abbey...
, the Diocese of Paisley celebrated its Diamond Jubilee
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
. To mark the occasion a mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
concelebrated by His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St. James the Most Rev Faustino Sainz Muñoz
Faustino Sainz Muñoz
Faustino Sainz Muñoz is a Spanish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Nuncio to Great Britain from 2004 until December 2010, having been appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2004.-Biography:...
, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
The Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh. The archdiocese covers an area of 5,504 km²...
His Eminence Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien, the Archbishop of Glasgow
Archbishop of Glasgow
The Bishop of Glasgow, from 1492 Archbishop of Glasgow, was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Glasgow and then, as Archbishop of Glasgow, the Archdiocese of Glasgow...
the Most Rev Mario Conti, the Bishop of Motherwell
Bishop of Motherwell
The Bishop of Motherwell is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Motherwell in the Province of Glasgow.The diocese covers an area of 1,178 km². The see is in the town of Motherwell where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Good Aid...
the Rt Rev Joseph Devine
Joseph Devine
Joseph Devine is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Motherwell in Scotland.He was educated at St Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch, St. Mary's College, and St. Peter's College, Cardross. He was ordained priest on 29 June 1960 at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. He received his Ph.D...
, the Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop of Aberdeen
The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
the Rt Rev Peter Moran
Peter Antony Moran
Peter Antony Moran is the former Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland.He was born in Glasgow on 13 April 1935...
, the Bishop of Galloway
Bishop of Galloway
The Bishop of Galloway, also called the Bishop of Whithorn, was the eccesiastical head of the Diocese of Galloway, said to have been founded by Saint Ninian in the mid-5th century. The subsequent Anglo-Saxon bishopric was founded in the late 7th century or early 8th century, and the first known...
the Rt Rev John Cunningham
John Cunningham (Bishop)
John Cunningham is a Roman Catholic priest who is the current Bishop of Galloway.John Cunningham was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland on 22 February 1938. He was educated at St Mary's College, Blairs and St. Peter's Seminary, Cardross. Later he was a student of the Scots College, Rome...
, the Emeritus Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev John Mone
John Mone
The Right Reverend John Aloysius Mone was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Paisley.-Early life:John Mone was fourth of the six children of Arthur Mone and Elizabeth Dunn...
, the Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev Philip Tartaglia and many priests of the diocese took place in St Mirin's Cathedral. Present at the mass were a large number of civic dignitaries and representatives of other churches in Paisley. Representing Her Majesty the Queen were the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire
Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire
The Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire is the representative of the British Crown covering a lieutenancy area of the county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
Mr Guy Clark and his deputy Mr James Wardrop.
Papal visit
On 16 September 2010 Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
made a brief visit to the Diocese of Paisley when he departed from Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport may refer to:*Glasgow International Airport, in Renfrewshire, the primary airport serving Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.*Glasgow Airport , also known as Wokal Field, in Glasgow, Montana, United States.It may also refer to:...
, which lies within the diocese to the north of the town of Paisley, for London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
after celebrating Mass at Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. There to wish him farewell from Scotland were the Provost
Provost (civil)
A provost is the ceremonial head of many Scottish local authorities, and under the name prévôt was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Regime France.-History:...
of Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
Councillor Celia Lawson and the Bishop of Paisley the Rt Rev Philip Tartaglia .
Past and present ordinaries
The following is a list of the Bishops of Paisley- James BlackJames Black (bishop)The Right Reverend James Black was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley in Scotland.-Early life:...
(appointed 28 February 1948 – died 29 March 1968) - Stephen McGillStephen McGillThe Right Reverend Stephen McGill PSS was the sixth Bishop of Argyll and the Isles and second Bishop of Paisley.-Early life:...
, P.S.S. (appointed 25 July 1968 – retired 8 March 1988) - John Aloysius MoneJohn MoneThe Right Reverend John Aloysius Mone was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Paisley.-Early life:John Mone was fourth of the six children of Arthur Mone and Elizabeth Dunn...
(appointed 8 March 1988 – retired 7 October 2004) - Philip TartagliaPhilip TartagliaThe Right Reverend Philip Tartaglia is the fourth Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley, Scotland. He has been described as a conservative in religious and moral issues.-Early life:...
(current bishop - appointed 13 September 2005)