Bishops Appoint Paisley Priest to Rome

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has announced the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

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Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry.

Currently serving as the Parish Priest of St Aidan’s in Johnstone and Christ the King in Howwood, the diocesan Vicar Episcopal for Education was ordained in 2016. In addition to serving in various parishes since then, in recent years he was appointed as Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Keenan said, “I want to thank Fr Matthew for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests for Scotland.”

Reflecting on the impact his appointment has on the people of the diocese, he added, “I know that this news will come as a shock to the people of St Aidan’s, Christ the King and the Diocese of Paisley. We will miss Fr Matthew for the time when he is away but we offer him up for the good for the entire Church, trusting that what is good for one part of the Church is good for all of us. Fr Matthew will bring a good witness of the priestly vocation to the young men of Scotland who are discerning God’s call to the Priesthood, and we pray this will bear fruit across our diocese and Scotland.”

Fr Matthew said, “I am immensely grateful for everything I received during my time as a seminarian and priest at the Pontifical Scots College, and I look forward to assisting others in their formation for the diocesan priesthood.

“Though I am sorry to be leaving the people of St Aidan’s and Christ the King, I am grateful for all the support that they and others have given me as a priest in the diocese. I hope that they will continue to keep me and all involved in the formation of priests in their prayers.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop John Keenan for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector.”

Fr Matthew will remain in his parishes until the summer, when he will take up his appointment.

We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome.