𝗙𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Stephen Reilly, a priest of the Diocese of Motherwell, as Acting National Director of Missio Scotland.

He succeeds Fr Vincent Lockhart, also of the Diocese of Motherwell, who served as Acting National Director from 2016 until his formal appointment as National Director in 2018.

Missio Scotland is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Pope's worldwide mission network, supporting parishes, schools and seminaries through prayer and financial assistance. National Directors are appointed by the Holy See on behalf of the Holy Father.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Brian McGee, Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Fr Vincent for his dedicated service over the past ten years. His considerable experience of missionary ministry in Africa has been a great gift to the Church in Scotland.

“We warmly welcome Fr Stephen to this important role. He brings his own unique experience of the missionary Church, which will undoubtedly enrich his new ministry. We assure both priests of our gratitude and support.”

Fr Stephen said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Acting Director of Missio Scotland and honoured to be entrusted with this important role. Having recently returned from two months working in a parish in rural Uganda and visiting the national seminary, I’m looking forward to guiding Missio’s work supporting parishes, schools, and institutes of priestly formation.”

"I'm very much looking forward to working with the Missio team in the office, the diocesan directors, schools and volunteers. As I begin this exciting new ministry, I rely on the prayers of the people of Scotland who have always supported Missio with such selfless generosity."

Fr Vincent, commenting on his ten years leading Missio, said:

“I am very grateful to Pope Francis and Pope Leo to have had the opportunity and privilege to serve the mission of the Church and to support those places where it's small, poor or just beginning.”

"I have been constantly touched and inspired by the generosity of the Catholics of Scotland both in the giving of their prayers and financial support to our brothers and sisters in mission countries."

“I wish Fr Stephen every blessing and have no doubts he will be an excellent national director.”