Pope Francis
      Year of Faith
      11th October 2012 - 24th November 2013
      Pope Francis
      Year of Faith
      11th October 2012 - 24th November 2013
      St. Mirin's Cathedral
      Sanctuary
    • Welcome

      Welcome to the website of the Diocese of Paisley. The Diocese was established in 1947 to serve the Roman Catholic Community within Inverclyde, Renfrewshire & East Renfrewshire (excluding Thornliebank). Although a small Diocese in geographical terms, the Diocese serves an eighth of the Catholic population in Scotland.The Diocese of Paisley is currently a Vacant See, since our most recent Bishop has become the Archbishop of Glasgow and Metropolitan. During this time the Diocesan Administrator is Fr. David Boyd. Please keep our Diocese in your prayers and pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he chooses a new Bishop for us.

    • Message of Pope Francis to the Priests and People fo Scotland
       
      Pope Francis has sent an encouraging message to the priests and people of Scotland to be delivered by Archbishop Muller who is here for the launch of the St Andrew's Foundation. The text of the message is as follows:

      The Most Reverend Gerhard Ludwig Müller
      Prefect
      Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
      VATICAN CITY

      Your Excellency,

      His Holiness Pope Francis was pleased to learn that you are to journey to Scotland for the Cardinal Winning Lecture at Glasgow University, and a meeting with the Catholic clergy.

      Just as his beloved predecessor, Benedict XVI, strongly advocated Catholic education in Scotland during Mass in Glasgow in 2010, Pope Francis is happy to add his voice in support of Catholic education in the country. He asks you to convey his greetings to Catholic teachers and to those preparing them at Glasgow University, and his good wishes for the success of the Saint Andrew’s Foundation for Catholic teacher education. He sincerely hopes that the initiative will help promote and improve the quality of instruction - formal, catechetical and above all spiritual - given to future educators in the country’s Catholic schools.

      In particular, His Holiness asks you to greet warmly all the Catholics of Scotland, especially the priests whom you will meet during your visit. Aware of recent challenges and of the crosses they have patiently borne, His Holiness earnestly prays for a renewal among them of truth, mutual pardon and charity through fidelity to the gospel message of conversion, for the good of all Scotland’s Catholics.

      Invoking the intercession of Saint Andrew and Saint Margaret, the Holy Father willingly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of courage and strength in the Lord.

      Yours sincerely in Christ,
      Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone
    • Pope Francis
      Fr David Boyd, Administrator of the Diocese of Paisley, has expressed his great delight in the appointment of Pope Francis. The announcement of his Papal name of Francis in itself speaks volumes. St Francis of Assisi was the humble man of prayer who helped bring reform to the Church. St Francis Xavier was a great missionary, evangelising and bringing the Gospel message to foreign parts. In choosing the name Francis we reflect on two inspirational saints of that name.
      The first sight of Pope Francis showed a man of prayer who is also a man of the people.
      The prayers of the Church were with the Cardinals in conclave. Through the Holy Spirit Pope Francis has been chosen. We welcome him with joy and assure him of our prayers.



      Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi":

      Brothers and sisters, good evening!

      You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one... but here we are... I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop. Thank you! And first of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may keep him.

      Our Father...

      Hail Mary...

      Glory Be...

      And now, we take up this journey: Bishop and People. This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity. It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar, here present, will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city.

      And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop. Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me.

      [...]

      Now I will give the Blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

      [Blessing]

      Brothers and sisters, I leave you now. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and until we meet again. We will see each other soon. Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome. Good night and sleep well!