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Galloway cathedral to be transferred

The bishop of Scotland’s southernmost Roman Catholic diocese has announced that its current Cathedral is to close and the bishop’s seat is to be transferred to another church in the diocese.

Bishop John Cunningham has written to parishioners to explain that Pope Benedict XVI has now agreed to transfer the Cathedral Church of Galloway diocese from Good Shepherd Cathedral in Ayr to St Margaret’s Church, also in Ayr.

The transfer is happening because of a fall in parishioners worshipping at the Good Shepherd Cathedral, given its geographical location.

In his letter, Bishop Cunningham wrote that for his Episcopal ordination in 2005, the church had looked “every inch a cathedral” but the following Sunday - which was Pentecost Sunday - he was present again in the Good Shepherd parish for the annual Neophytes’ Mass when apart from the Neophytes themselves and a few of their relations and friends, there was no congregation to speak of and the church looked “bare and empty”.

“Sadly, in the course of my time here as your bishop, Good Shepherd Church has only been well attended for the annual Chrism Mass and for the Carol Service before Christmas each year,” Bishop Cunningham added.

“In fact the average attendance at Sunday Mass has been less than 100. In addition to this, the fabric of the church has been deteriorating rapidly.”

Full story at The Universe.