A former priest from the Motherwell Diocese has been appointed the new Archbishop of Glasgow.
Pope Francis announced that Bishop William Nolan was to step into the position left vacant following the death of Archbishop Tartaglia in January last year.
Bishop Nolan, a former pupil of St Patrick’s Primary in Craigneuk and Cathedral Primary School in Motherwell, was ordained as a priest for Diocese of Motherwell in 1977 at St Bernadette’s Parish Church.
The 68-year-old, who spent more than 20 years as parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes in East Kilbride, took up the role as Vicar General of the Motherwell Diocese in 2014.
Prior to this latest appointment the Archbishop was the Bishop of Galloway.
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.”
Archbishop Nolan was baptised in St Patrick’s in Craigneuk, the same church that a fellow clergyman was anointed who also went on to become Archbishop of Glasgow – Cardinal Thomas Winning.
Archbishop Nolan was also taught at primary school by Cardinal Winning’s sister Margaret Caning.
Since his ordination in the late 1970s, he has also taken up roles at a number of churches across Lanarkshire including St. David’s in Plains; St Bridget’s in Baillieston and St John Ogilvie in Blantyre; as well as spending seven years as Vice-Rector at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome, where he graduated with a Licence in Sacred Theology.
He was also chairman for both the Council of Priests, and the Committee for Ongoing Formation of Priests.
The Archbishop, who suffered a heart attack less than six years ago and was cared for at University Hospital Wishaw, will be installed as successor of St Mungo in St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, February 26.
He 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.”
The new Archbishop of Glasgow is prepared for the challenge that lies ahead after seven years as Bishop of Galloway.
Father William McFadden, Vicar General of the Diocese of Galloway, said: “This appointment will allow him to serve both the people of Glasgow and the wider church with the same abilities with which he served us in Galloway for seven valuable years. We will miss him, but appreciate greatly the contribution which he made, and the legacy which he leaves.”
Monsignor Hugh Bradly, who has been Administrator of the Archdiocese of Glasgow since the death of Archbishop Tartaglia, also welcomed the news of Bishop Nolan’s appointment as Archbishop, adding: “I am delighted with the appointment of Bishop Nolan; I offer him a warm welcome to the Archdiocese of Glasgow and a promise of prayers on behalf of all the clergy, religious and laity. May our good God bless him with health and strength to lead us in faith.”
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
