Scotland: Bishop Vincent Logan to retire on grounds of ill health

Bishop Vincent Logan

The Bishop of Dunkeld, Bishop Vincent Logan who has served in office for nearly 30 years in office, has tendered his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI on health grounds. Bishop Logan, 69, said: “I deeply regret having to make this decision, but I have no choice. My health means I am no longer able to give 100% and I feel the Church deserves no less.

“I owe it to the priests and people of Dunkeld to step aside and let someone else give them new leadership.

“It has been an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to be serve the priests and people of Dunkeld Diocese as their bishop for 30 years. I am immensely grateful to countless people who have supported me loyally throughout my ministry.

“I pay tribute to my priests and deacons who labour tirelessly on behalf of our Lord and His Church in an increasingly secular world, to the Religious for their enormous contribution to diocesan life, and I thank God for the lay people who witness to the values of the Gospel in their daily lives.

“I acknowledge, too, the working relationship I have enjoyed with the wider community throughout the diocese and I thank all of them for their courtesy and friendship over the years.

“It will take some time before my successor is appointed, but I felt it was only fair to make my decision known so that the priests and people of the Diocese of Dunkeld can plan for the future.

“My hope is that, God willing, I will still be able to make a contribution to the life of the Church in Scotland, both at national and diocesan level, albeit in a less public role.

“Once again I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked with me over the last 30 years and I pray that everyone will understand why I, very reluctantly, have had to come to this decision.”

Paying tribute to Bishop Logan, Mgr Ken McCaffrey, Vicar General of the Diocese of Dunkeld, said, “On behalf of the priests and people, I thank Bishop Vincent for his dedicated ministry as our Bishop and shepherd over 30 years.

“Since his appointment in 1981, at the age of 39, he has given outstanding leadership to the priests and people of Dunkeld. He has been responsible for many initiatives over the years that have encouraged our people to live by the values of the Gospel.

“He has helped to give the Catholic Community a prominent place in the life, not only of Dundee, our Cathedral City, but throughout our country.

“We are deeply sorry that his recent ill health has forced this decision, but we fully understand why he has had to make it.”

Source: SCMO