The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has appointed Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.
Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up the post in the coming months, supporting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry.
He is currently Parish Priest at St Aidan’s, Johnstone, and Christ the King, Howwood, and serves as the diocese’s Vicar Episcopal for Education. Ordained in 2016, Fr Matthew has served in a number of parishes and was recently appointed Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.
Bishop John 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.”
He added that the move would be felt locally, saying the diocese would miss Fr Matthew during his time away, but that his appointment would benefit the wider Church in Scotland.
Fr Matthew said he was grateful for the formation he received at the Pontifical Scots College and looked forward to supporting others preparing for diocesan priesthood.
He said he was sorry to be leaving his parishioners in Johnstone and Howwood but thanked them for their support, adding that he hoped they would keep him and those involved in priestly formation in their prayers.
Fr Matthew will remain in his parishes until the summer, when he will move to Rome to begin his new role.
Headline photo: Fr Matthew Carlin