He will take over from Father Stuart Chalmers, who while carrying the demanding role of Administrator at the Cathedral, has simultaneously been pursuing studies for a Doctorate in Theology.

Bishop Moran said: “On the urgent advice of his Maynooth University supervisor, and after consultation with Father Chalmers himself, I have decided to grant him a twelve-month leave of absence to complete his Doctorate. 

“Father Chalmers will take up residence in the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, as from October of this year. I look forward to welcoming him back to the diocese, with his additional qualification, in the autumn of next year.”

Adding that he knows he is speaking on behalf of many parishioners, Bishop Moran added: “I thank Father Stuart most warmly for the dedication, perseverance and skill he has shown as Administrator, under very considerable pressure.”

Bishop Moran also announced that Father Czesław Józef Kolasa, who is known as “Father Joe”, presently assistant priest at Saint Mary’s, Inverness, will become Priest-in-Charge at Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

Father Ryszard Świder, presently assistant priest at Peterhead and Fraserburgh, will become assistant priest at Saint Mary’s, Inverness.

Father Maciej Hulas from the Archdiocese of Lublin, Poland has arrived in the diocese on 4th August. He will be appointed in due course as assistant in a parish. Like the other Polish priests now working in the Diocese of Aberdeen he will have pastoral responsibility for both English-speaking and Polish-speaking parishioners.