BISHOP WILLIAM NOLAN

William Nolan was born on 26 January 1954, the fourth of eleven children born to William and Catherine Nolan, both deceased. He was baptised in Saint Patrick's Church, Craigneuk and educated at Cathedral Primary School in Motherwell, Saint Patrick's Primary, Craigneuk, Saint Vincent's College, Langbank and Saint Mary's College, Blairs. His senior seminary formation was at the Scots College in Rome from 1971 to 1978 from where he graduated with a Licence in Sacred Theology.

Father Nolan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Motherwell on 30 June 1977. He ministered as assistant priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, East Kilbride from 1978 to 1980 and Saint David's, Plains from 1980 to 1983. He became vice-rector of the Scots College, Rome in 1983 and held the post for seven years. On his return to Scotland, he was assistant priest of Saint Bridget's, Baillieston from 1990 to 1994 then parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, East Kilbride from 1994 to February 2015.

He has been chairman of the Council of Priests from 1992 to 1998; chairman of the Committee for Ongoing Formation of Priests from 1993 to 2004; administrator of Saint John Ogilvie Church, Blantyre from November 2013 to February 2015 and Vicar General of Motherwell Diocese from June 2014 to February 2015.

Father Nolan was as nominated Bishop of Galloway by Pope Francis on 22 November 2014. His Episcopal Ordination took place in the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock on 14 February 2015.

Bishop Nolan made his first pastoral visit to Saint Peter's on 28 February and 1 March 2015.



The photograph above right was taken on 14 February 2015 and the one above left on 28 February 2015.