𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has expressed its sadness at the death of Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran, former Bishop of Aberdeen, who has died at the age of 91.

Bishop Peter served the Diocese of Aberdeen from 2003 until 2011 and made a valued contribution to the work of the Bishops’ Conference.

Among his wider episcopal responsibilities, he served as Bishop President of SCIAF, the Church’s international aid and development agency, a role he continued to fulfil after his retirement as Bishop of Aberdeen until 2015. He also served as Bishop Promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea, supporting the Church’s ministry to seafarers, and represented the Scottish bishops on the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE).

Bishop Brian McGee, Vice-President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and current Bishop President of SCIAF, said:

“Bishop Peter was a man of great learning, deep faith and genuine humility. I remember him with fondness from my own days as a seminarian at Blairs. I was always struck by his remarkable intelligence, but equally by the genuine interest he took in our formation and the kindness he showed to every student. These were qualities that left a lasting impression on those of us who knew him.

“He brought wisdom, kindness and an extraordinary sense of duty to his ministry as a priest and bishop. His commitment to the wider mission of the Church, particularly through SCIAF and his concern for those working at sea, reflected his generous pastoral heart. We give thanks for his long life of faithful service.”

Bishop Joseph Toal, the only current member of the Bishops’ Conference who served alongside Bishop Peter, recalled his remarkable diligence and attention to detail:

“Bishop Peter took every responsibility seriously, including our Bishops’ Conference meetings. He was particularly attentive to the accuracy of our documents and minutes. No misplaced comma or questionable punctuation mark was likely to escape his notice! But that attention to detail reflected something deeper: his respect for the work of the Church and his determination that everything should be done properly. He was a thoroughly good man and a much-valued friend.”

The bishops of Scotland offer their sympathy to Bishop Hugh Gilbert, Bishop Peter’s family, and the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Aberdeen, inviting Catholics throughout Scotland to join them in praying for Bishop Peter, with gratitude for his life and faithful service.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.