New Bishop for Argyll & the Isles
http://www.rcdai.org.uk/articles/120/1/New-Bishop-for-Argyll-amp-the-Isles/Page1.html
By Website Editor
Published on 16/10/2008
At 12 noon in Rome today, 16 October (11am GMT) Pope Benedict XVI announced that he has appointed Monsignor Joseph Toal as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles.
New Bishop named
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Joseph Toal to succeed Bishop Ian Murray as Bishop of the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles.
Monsignor Toal, a priest of the diocese, was born in Roy Bridge. He was ordained in St. Columba's Cathedral, Oban in 1980 and served in Daliburgh, Ardkenneth, Campbeltown and Benbecula before being appointed Spiritual Director at the Royal Scots College, Salamanca
in 1999. He is currently Rector of the College.
Bishop-Elect Mgr. Joseph Toal
Speaking after the announcement, Mgr. Toal said:
"I am honoured that Pope Benedict XVI has chosen me to be the new Bishop of Argyll & the Isles. I am acutely aware of my unworthiness and the words of Simon Peter in St. Luke's Gospel - 'Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man' - have been much in my thoughts over the last few days. The Lord's reply though - 'do not be afraid' - encourages me to trust my life to him and to seek his grace and strength for the task that is ahead."
Referring to his return to the diocese, the Bishop-elect said:
"Before my time in Spain I spent seventeen happy years as a priest in the diocese and now I look forward to coming home and serving the priests and people of the diocese as their bishop. I ask for their prayers in these weeks before my ordination, and throughout my ministry among them.
I also wish to thank Bishop Ian Murray for his nine years among us as our bishop and my very best wishes and prayers go with him for his retirement."
Bishop Ian Murray and Mgr. Toal met in Oban today
Welcoming the news of Mgr. Toal's appointment, Bishop Ian said:
"As a well-travelled son of the diocese he combines the internal know-how with external experience. Mgr. Joseph's sense of locality, with years at Blairs and Salamanca, lends itself to producing a very well-balanced bishop."
From Thursday 16 October 2008 Bishop Ian Murray will assume the position of Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until our new bishop is ordained.
Mgr. Toal will be ordained Bishop in St. Columba's Cathedral, Oban on Monday, 8 December 2008.
Monsignor Toal, a priest of the diocese, was born in Roy Bridge. He was ordained in St. Columba's Cathedral, Oban in 1980 and served in Daliburgh, Ardkenneth, Campbeltown and Benbecula before being appointed Spiritual Director at the Royal Scots College, Salamanca
in 1999. He is currently Rector of the College.
Bishop-Elect Mgr. Joseph Toal
Speaking after the announcement, Mgr. Toal said:
"I am honoured that Pope Benedict XVI has chosen me to be the new Bishop of Argyll & the Isles. I am acutely aware of my unworthiness and the words of Simon Peter in St. Luke's Gospel - 'Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man' - have been much in my thoughts over the last few days. The Lord's reply though - 'do not be afraid' - encourages me to trust my life to him and to seek his grace and strength for the task that is ahead."
Referring to his return to the diocese, the Bishop-elect said:
"Before my time in Spain I spent seventeen happy years as a priest in the diocese and now I look forward to coming home and serving the priests and people of the diocese as their bishop. I ask for their prayers in these weeks before my ordination, and throughout my ministry among them.
I also wish to thank Bishop Ian Murray for his nine years among us as our bishop and my very best wishes and prayers go with him for his retirement."
Bishop Ian Murray and Mgr. Toal met in Oban today
Welcoming the news of Mgr. Toal's appointment, Bishop Ian said:
"As a well-travelled son of the diocese he combines the internal know-how with external experience. Mgr. Joseph's sense of locality, with years at Blairs and Salamanca, lends itself to producing a very well-balanced bishop."
From Thursday 16 October 2008 Bishop Ian Murray will assume the position of Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until our new bishop is ordained.
Mgr. Toal will be ordained Bishop in St. Columba's Cathedral, Oban on Monday, 8 December 2008.
Scroll down to send a greeting to the new bishop