Bishop of the Diocese of Paisley
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Bishop John Keenan LLB PhL STB
Bishop John Keenan was appointed Bishop of Paisley by His Holiness Pope Francis on Saturday 8th February 2014. Bishop Keenan succeeded the Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia PhB STD, who became the Archbishop of Glasgow in September 2012.
The installation of Bishop Keenan took place at St Mirin's Cathedral in Paisley on Wednesday 19th March 2014, the Feast of St Joseph. He became Scotland's youngest Bishop following his ordination. Bishop John took as his motto "Suscepit servum recordatus misericordiae," which means "He protects His servant remembering His Mercy," which is inspired by the Magnificat. Bishop John Keenan was born in 1964 and was baptised in St Joseph's, Cowcaddens. He studied at the University of Glasgow and at the Gregorian University in Rome. Previous appointments include: Christ the King, Kings Park (1995-2000) Chaplain at Holyrood (1997-2000) Lecturer in Philosophy, Scotus College (1995-2005) University of Glasgow Chaplain (2000-2014) Parish Priest of St Patrick's, Anderston (2013-2014) Vocations Director, Archdiocese of Glasgow (2013-2014) |
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Good-Shepherd Sunday 2023
Bishop’s Pastoral Letter Dear brothers and sisters, Today our Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. This year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis in the See of St. Peter and ten years of much change in our society, our Church and, of course, our Diocese. Among the most memorable moments for Pope Francis was his visit to the United States of America where he was accorded the honour of being the first Pope invited to address a joint session of Congress. His speech that day touched on key events in the history of America – the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and the country’s emergence as a global superpower. America was a place of dreams, which inspired participation, commitment, action and freedom; dreams that awaken the deepest and truest hopes of our lives and times. Pope Francis reflected on those Americans whose dreams had shaped their nation: Abraham Lincoln with his dream of liberty; Martin Luther King and his dream of racial harmony; Dorothy Day with her dream of social justice, and Thomas Merton with his dream of a spirituality in tune with God’s presence in our world. In our time, we have our own dreamers: people who inspire us; whose vision speaks to us; who, despite the difficulties of the present moment, encourage us to believe in a brighter and fairer future for the human family. For me, Pope Francis is one of these dreamers. But what does God dream for us, for our lives, our communities and our world? For Pope Francis, the call to priesthood is a call to make God’s dreams come true. Our priests are our dreamers too. In their commitment to the teaching of the Church, in their celebration of the Sacraments, in their care for the poor, and their love for the Gospel of life, our priests lead us to believe that one family of humanity is not just wishful thinking or pie in the sky, but the very dream God has created us to live and enjoy. Eastertide is the season where death turns to life and fear to hope. It is always a time of dreams. For some, it is a time to let go of old and tired dreams; for others, it is a time to embrace new dreams and visions. I wonder what God dreams for your life; if you dream of being part of God’s plan for the world; if our parishes can be places where the dream of serving God is nurtured and sustained; if some of you can dream of service in the Priesthood? Today, amid the dramatic events of our time, I pray that you, God’s Holy People, hear His dream for you and respond to it with love, generosity and faith. May the light of the Holy Spirit help us so that we play our unique part in God’s dream for our Church and our world. Yours in Christ, Bishop John |
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