Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh (Latin
Archidioecesis Sancti Andreae et Edimburgensis) is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
in Scotland
. It is the Metropolitan see of the Province
of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, consisting of the additional suffragan sees of Aberdeen
, Argyll and the Isles
, Dunkeld
, and Galloway
. The Archdiocese is led by the Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, currently Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien
.
, the Roman Catholic Church abandoned the ancient dioceses and hierarchy. In 1653, the whole of Scotland became under the authority the Prefecture Apostolic
of Scotland, which in 1694 was elevated to the Vicariate Apostolic
of Scotland.
On 23 July 1727, Scotland was divided into two Vicariate Apostolics, the Lowland District and Highland District
. The Lowland District comprised roughly the Scottish Lowlands
, with the exception of the northern area around Aberdeen.
On 13 February 1827, Scotland was divided into three Vicariate Apostolics, the Eastern District (formerly the Lowland District), the Northern District (formerly the Highland District), and the Western District
(created from terrority of the other two districts).
The Eastern District comprised the sixteen eastern historic counties
of Perthshire
, Angus
, Kincardineshire
, Stirlingshire
, Clackmannanshire
, Kinross
, Fife
, West Lothian
, Mid Lothian, East Lothian
, Peebleshire, Selkirkshire
, Kirkcudbrightshire
, Dumfrieshire, Roxburghshire
, and Berwickshire
.
Following the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
by Pope Leo XIII
on 15 March 1878, the Eastern District was elevated to the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
Vicariate Apostolic of Scotland.
Vicariate Apostolic of the Lowland District.
Vicariate Apostolic of the Eastern District.
Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Archidioecesis Sancti Andreae et Edimburgensis) is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the Metropolitan see of the Province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, consisting of the additional suffragan sees of Aberdeen
Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland.-Foundation:The see was founded in 1063 at Mortlach by Blessed Beyn. The earliest mention of the old See of Aberdeen is in the charter of the foundation, by the Earl of Buchan, of the...
, Argyll and the Isles
Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, in the Province of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh....
, Dunkeld
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Scotland, forming an episcopal hierarchy distinct from that of England and Wales....
, and Galloway
Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. The diocese of Galloway had broken allegiance with Rome in 1560, and disappeared in 1689...
. The Archdiocese is led by the Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, currently Cardinal Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien
Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien
Keith Michael Patrick O'Brien is a Scottish Cardinal and the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh of the Roman Catholic Church. O'Brien is currently the only living Cardinal from Scotland....
.
History
After the Scottish ReformationScottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
, the Roman Catholic Church abandoned the ancient dioceses and hierarchy. In 1653, the whole of Scotland became under the authority the Prefecture Apostolic
Apostolic prefect
An apostolic prefect is a priest who heads what is known as an apostolic prefecture, a missionary area where the Catholic Church is not yet sufficiently developed to have it made a diocese....
of Scotland, which in 1694 was elevated to the Vicariate Apostolic
Apostolic vicariate
An apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church established in missionary regions and countries that do not have a diocese. It is essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more...
of Scotland.
On 23 July 1727, Scotland was divided into two Vicariate Apostolics, the Lowland District and Highland District
Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland.-Foundation:The see was founded in 1063 at Mortlach by Blessed Beyn. The earliest mention of the old See of Aberdeen is in the charter of the foundation, by the Earl of Buchan, of the...
. The Lowland District comprised roughly the Scottish Lowlands
Scottish Lowlands
The Scottish Lowlands is a name given to the Southern half of Scotland.The area is called a' Ghalldachd in Scottish Gaelic, and the Lawlands ....
, with the exception of the northern area around Aberdeen.
On 13 February 1827, Scotland was divided into three Vicariate Apostolics, the Eastern District (formerly the Lowland District), the Northern District (formerly the Highland District), and the Western District
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow
The Archdiocese of Glasgow is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. Glasgow first became an archbishopric in 1492, eventually securing the dioceses of Galloway, Argyll and the Isles as suffragans....
(created from terrority of the other two districts).
The Eastern District comprised the sixteen eastern historic counties
Counties of Scotland
The counties of Scotland were the principal local government divisions of Scotland until 1975. Scotland's current lieutenancy areas and registration counties are largely based on them. They are often referred to as historic counties....
of Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
, Kincardineshire
Kincardineshire
The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland...
, Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
, Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'....
, Kinross
Kinross-shire
Kinross-shire or the County of Kinross is a registration county, electoral ward and historic county in the Perth and Kinross council area in the east central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, Mid Lothian, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, Peebleshire, Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south...
, Kirkcudbrightshire
Kirkcudbrightshire
The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright or Kirkcudbrightshire was a county of south-western Scotland. It was also known as East Galloway, forming the larger Galloway region with Wigtownshire....
, Dumfrieshire, Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
, and Berwickshire
Berwickshire
Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a registration county, a committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy area of Scotland, on the border with England. The town after which it is named—Berwick-upon-Tweed—was lost by Scotland to England in 1482...
.
Following the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
Restoration of the Scottish hierarchy
The Restoration of the Scottish hierarchy refers to the re-establishment of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland on 15 March 1878...
by Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
on 15 March 1878, the Eastern District was elevated to the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
Office holders
Prefecture Apostolic of Scotland.- William BallantineWilliam Ballantine (clergyman)William Ballantine was a Roman Catholic clergyman who became the first Prefect of Scotland....
(appointed 13 October 1653 – died 2 September 1661) - Alexander Dunbar WinchesterAlexander Dunbar WinchesterAlexander Dunbar Winchester was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the Prefect of Scotland....
(appointed 12 June 1662, resigned 1668, reappointed 1672, resigned again in July 1693)
Vicariate Apostolic of Scotland.
- Thomas Joseph NicolsonThomas Joseph NicolsonThomas Joseph Nicolson was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of Scotland.Born in Birkenbog, Banffshire in 1645, He was converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1682. He was ordained a priest on 9 March 1686. He was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Scotland and Titular...
(appointed 7 September 1694 – died 12 October 1718) - James GordonJames Gordon (bishop)James Gordon was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic for the whole of Scotland from 1718 to 1727, then the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District from 1727 to 1746....
(succeeded 12 October 1718 – appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Lowland District on 23 July 1727)
Vicariate Apostolic of the Lowland District.
- James GordonJames Gordon (bishop)James Gordon was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic for the whole of Scotland from 1718 to 1727, then the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District from 1727 to 1746....
(appointed 23 July 1727– died 18 February 1746) - Alexander SmithAlexander Smith (bishop)Alexander Smith was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District, Scotland.-Life:Born in Fochabers, Moray in 1694, he was ordained a priest on 19 April 1712. He was appointed the Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District and Titular Bishop of...
(succeeded 18 February 1746 – died 21 August 1767) - James GrantJames Grant (bishop)James Grant was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District, Scotland.Born in Wester Boggs, Enzie, Banffshire in July 1706, he was ordained a priest on 4 April 1733...
(succeeded 21 August 1767 – died 3 December 1778) - George HayGeorge Hay (bishop)George Hay was a Roman Catholic bishop and writer who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District in Scotland from 1778 to 1805....
(succeeded 3 December 1778 – retired 24 August 1805) - Alexander CameronAlexander Cameron (bishop)Alexander Cameron was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District, Scotland.Born in Braemar, Aberdeenshire on 28 July 1747, he was the son of James Cameron and Margery Macktinosh. He entered the Scots College in Rome on 22 December 1764, and took the oath...
(succeeded 24 August 1805 – retired 20 August 1825) - Alexander PatersonAlexander Paterson (bishop)Alexander Paterson was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District from 1825 to 1827, then, following district name change, Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District from 1827 to 1831....
(succeeded 20 August 1825 – appointed vicar apostolic of the Eastern District 13 February 1827)
Vicariate Apostolic of the Eastern District.
- Alexander PatersonAlexander Paterson (bishop)Alexander Paterson was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District from 1825 to 1827, then, following district name change, Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District from 1827 to 1831....
(appointed 13 February 1827 – died 30 October 1831) - Andrew CarruthersAndrew CarruthersAndrew Carruthers was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District of Scotland.Born in Drumillan Miln on 7 February 1770, he was ordained a priest on 25 March 1795. He was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District and Titular Bishop of Ceramus by...
(appointed 28 September 1832 – died 24 May 1852) - James GillisJames Gillis (bishop)James Gillis was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District of Scotland.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 7 April 1802, he was ordained a priest on 9 June 1827...
(succeeded 24 May 1852 – died 24 February 1864) - John Menzies StrainJohn Menzies StrainJohn Menzies Strain was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the first Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland.-Early life:...
(appointed 2 September 1864 – appointed Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh 15 March 1878)
Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.
- John Menzies StrainJohn Menzies StrainJohn Menzies Strain was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the first Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland.-Early life:...
(appointed 15 March 1878 – died 2 July 1883) - William SmithWilliam Smith (archbishop)William Smith was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland....
(appointed 2 October 1885 – died 16 March 1892) - Angus MacDonaldAngus MacDonald (archbishop)Angus MacDonald was a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the third Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland from 1892 to 1900.-Early life:...
(appointed 15 July 1892 – died 29 April 1900) - James August SmithJames August SmithJames August Smith was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland from 1900 to 1928....
(appointed 30 August 1900 – died 25 November 1928) - Andrew Thomas McDonaldAndrew Thomas McDonaldAndrew Thomas McDonald, O.S.B., was a Roman Catholic clergyman who served as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland....
, O.S.B. (appointed 19 July 1929 - died 22 May 1950) - Gordon Joseph Gray (appointed 20 June 1951 – retired 30 May 1985)
- Keith Michael Patrick O’Brien (appointed 30 May 1985)