Following the death today (14 January 2021) of Bishop Emeritus Vincent Logan, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert has issued the following statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Vincent Logan, the retired bishop of Dunkeld. The bishops of Scotland offer our deep condolences and the promise of our prayers to Bishop Stephen Robson and all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Dunkeld as they remember Bishop Vincent.
Coming only a day after the death in Glasgow of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia marks this week as one of loss and mourning for the Catholic church in Scotland.
Bishop Vincent Logan was dedicated and energetic. His episcopal ordination in 1981 at the age of 39 made him one of the youngest bishops in the world and gave him an energy and zeal in all he did. His commitment to Catholic Education was well known and his robust defence of it will be long remembered.
On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, we commend his soul into the hands of God and pray that he may enjoy eternal rest.”
The current Bishop of Dunkeld, Bishop Stephen Robson, has issued the following statement:
My Dear People
It is with deep regret that I must share with you the sad news that Bishop Vincent, Emeritus Bishop of this Diocese, has died. Bishop Vincent was 79.
Vincent Logan was Bishop of the diocese of Dunkeld for almost 32 years before his retirement on June 30th, 2012. He was appointed to Dunkeld by Saint John Paul II and consecrated Bishop by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray on 26th February 1981. Sadly his retirement years, from 2012 to the present were affected by a good deal of ill health which affected his mobility. He died earlier this morning, 14th January 2021, the day after his good friend Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow alongside whom he served on the Bishops Conference of Scotland. Both bishops succumbed to the lethal effects of the Coronavirus.
Bishop Vincent is survived by one remaining brother, James, and by two nephews Vincent and James, to whom our condolences are offered. His faithful PA, Press Officer and friend of 40 years, Elaine Harrison, has cared for him in an exemplary manner especially over the years of his retirement. Though devastated by his death, Elaine is happy that Bishop Vincent is now at peace with the Good Lord.
Bishop Vincent Logan was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 30th June 1941. After education in St Mary’s Academy, Bathgate, St Mary’s College, Blairs and St Andrew’s College, Drygrange, Vincent was ordained priest by Cardinal Gray in Edinburgh on 14th March 1964. Following on from a number of diocesan appointments as assistant priest in Edinburgh, and further studies in catechetics in Corpus Christi College London, Vincent was appointed, Diocesan Advisor in RE, Director of the RE Office in the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, and finally Vicar Episcopal for Education in the Archdiocese from 1977-1981. His final parochial appointment in the Archdiocese was as Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Ratho, from 1977-1981. Following on from his consecration as Bishop of Dunkeld on 26th February 1981, he served for 32 very energetic and innovative years both in the Diocese and in the Bishops Conference. His work was greatly appreciated at all times.
Much can be said about Bishop Vincent’s achievements, but these can wait for a more leisurely time once the pandemic dangers have passed and we can Celebrate Bishop Vincent’s Requiem Mass more appropriately. The funeral arrangements are as yet unknown, but the Mass and burial will be recorded and streamed, so that all who have access to the internet will be able to participate.
With every blessing to you all and a request for prayers for Bishop Vincent.
+ Stephen Robson
Bishop of Dunkeld
Bishop Toal has also shared a few words of tribute:
I offer the condolences of everyone in Motherwell Diocese to Bishop Robson and the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Dunkeld on the death of Bishop Vincent. We pray for his eternal rest and for his family and friends who mourn his passing most of all.
I remember the great commitment he gave within the Bishops’ Conference to the care of those considering their vocation to priesthood and their subsequent formation, and then the on-going formation of those already ordained. Under his leadership the Seminary Applicants’ Year was introduced and then “Priests for Scotland” as he sought to implement in the Scottish Church the teaching on priestly ministry presented by St John Paul Ii in “Pastores Dabo Vobis”. I enjoyed working with him in this area of ministry as Diocesan Vocations Director and then in the seminary in Salamanca. He brought enthusiasm and sensible planning to all the aspects of work he undertook on behalf of the Church in Scotland.
We give things for his long and fruitful episcopal ministry and commend him to the Lord. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”
+Joseph Toal
Bishop of Motherwell
Biography: Rt. Rev. Vincent Logan: Born Bathgate 30 June 1941, Educated, St. Mary’s Academy, Bathgate, St. Mary’s College Blairs, Aberdeen, St. Andrew’s College, Drygrange. Ordained priest Edinburgh 14 March 1964. Diploma in religious Education, Corpus Christi College London 1966-67. Ordained Bishop of Dunkeld, by Cardinal Gordon gray 26 February 1981. Resugned 30 June 2012. Died 14 Jan 2021 aged 79.
