New Bishop for Argyll & the Isles

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.



Scroll down to send a greeting to the new bishop



Comments (8)

Alexander MacConnacher
Said this on 17-10-2008 At 09:35 pm
I am delighted that His Holiness has appointed a "Lochaber Man" as our new bishop of Argyll & the Isles. Mgr. Joseph is well known and respected in his own diocese and his return from Spain to be with us and guide us will be rewarding and comforting to us all. He can be asured of our support and prayers.

Welcome Home, Your Grace !
Fr.Thomas Toal
Said this on 18-10-2008 At 01:27 am
Msgr.
from Uruguay my greetings to a fellow Toal elevated to bisopric.I will keep you in my prayers for the task that now lies ahead of you.
Fr.Thomas Toal Parroquia Cristo Rey, Acegua,R.O.Uruguay.
Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD
Said this on 18-10-2008 At 01:45 am
I congratulate "Lochaber Man"Mons Joe Taol on his recent appoinment and wish him many happy years. It is quite a while since I was in Oban a lovely place and now reside in Greenore along the shores of Carlingford Lough and serve the Irish Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church for Ulster & Cooley. We have a Joe Toal who lives close by and feel welcome to give us a call when in Ireland.

God Bless you Joe designate Bishop in Oban.
gerald morrow
Said this on 19-10-2008 At 01:38 pm
congratulations to Msr.Toal .Enjoyed three holidays in Salamanca. We will pray for him and send him our good wishes.
Anne Morrison
Said this on 19-10-2008 At 11:15 pm
Congratulations Mgr. Toal. We look forward to welcoming you back to Skye - could it be the first visit of your Bishopric?
Rafael
Said this on 20-10-2008 At 08:23 pm
Enhorabuena:
Me sumo a las felicitaciones desde Zamora, muy cerca de Salamanca, donde coincidimos en la Facultad de Teología. Deseo un buen ministerio pastoral. Congratulations.
Marian Pallister
Said this on 21-10-2008 At 09:48 am
A warm welcome from Mid Argyll to the new Bishop - perhaps he would like to go to Zambia next year with the young musicians of the diocese to meet the Mthunzi Culture Group.
Marian
Judith Spellman
Said this on 22-10-2008 At 10:13 pm
Our congratulations to Mgr Toal on his appointment as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, from the Isle of Mull. Our wee pilgrimage was in Lourdes when we heard the glad news and our prayers have been for him from that moment.
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