On Thursday 14th August 2025, Bishop Keenan met with priests in anticipation of making the following appointments. 

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• Having reached retirement age, Monsignor Denis Carlin retires from active ministry and demits the role of Parish Priest of Christ the King parish in Howwood. Bishop Keenan knows you join with him in thanking Monsignor Carlin for his lifetime of devoted service to the diocese and indeed to the Church in Scotland.
• Father Matthew Carlin, in addition to being the current Parish Priest of Saint Aidan’s in Johnstone will take up the appointment of Parish Priest of Christ the King in Howwood.
• Father Paul Laverty, newly ordained, has been appointed as Curate at Saint Charles’ parish in Paisley. In addition, Father Laverty will continue in the role of Assistant Chaplain at Saint Andrew’s High School. He continues his work with the young adults of the diocese being appointed a Pastoral Director for Young Adults and will also continue as Pastoral Director to the Scouts and Girl Guides.
• Father Johnpaul Obinna Ogueri, a Nigerian priest currently studying and resident in the diocese, has been appointed Priest-in-Residence at St. Convals in Linwood while he continues his studies. 

Bishop Keenan writes, “It was my intention to make further appointments but the constrictions of Canon Law have made this impossible at this stage. These will have to wait until a later date.

“In the meantime, pastoral care of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bishopton will continue to be provided by the priests of Saint Mirin’s Cathedral while parish priest, Father Dan Fitzpatrick, administers St Joseph’s in Clarkston.”

Other appointments and remits announced:

• Father John Morrison demits his role as Diocesan Vocations Director and Vicar Episcopal for Vocations.
• Father Eoin Patten has been appointed to the role of Diocesan Vocations Director and Vicar Episcopal for Vocations.
• Canon Jim Duggan demits his role as Vicar Episcopal for Evangelisation to allow him to focus on the new national posts of Director of Vocational Synthesis and Director of Ongoing Priestly Formation. 
• Father John Morrison has been appointed to the role of Vicar Episcopal for Evangelisation.
• With the retirement of the esteemed Monsignor Carlin, Father John Eagers will take his place as a Canon de numero in the Cathedral Chapter.  Father Eagers will be installed into the Chapter at a later date to be arranged.

With the exception of Monsignor Carlin and Father Matthew Carlin, all other appointments will take effect on Friday 5th September at 12 noon. The changes in Christ the King, Howwood will take place when Monsignor Carlin retires in October. 

Please keep these and all priests in your prayers.