By Bill Heaney
Pope Francis has appointed Canon Andrew McKenzie, Administrator of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, to be the new Bishop of Dunkeld.
Canon Andrew, pictured above, who is 59, was once an assistant priest at St Michael’s parish in Dumbarton’s West End, succeeds Bishop Stephen Robson.
Bishop Robson resigned due to ill health in December 2022.
Bishop-elect Martin Chambers, who was named to Dunkeld earlier this year, died before being ordained bishop.
Archbishop William Nolan said he was delighted, while recognizing that Glasgow’s loss was Dunkeld’s gain.
The Archbishop said: “May I congratulate Fr Andrew McKenzie on his appointment as Bishop and may I also congratulate Dunkeld Diocese who now acquire a fine priest as their leader and guide.
“In his 36 years of priestly service, the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the wider Church in Scotland have benefited from his talent, his commitment, his perseverance, and the high standards he has set in a variety of ministries.
“He has shown care for parishioners and care for his fellow priests, with a devotion also to the worthy celebration of liturgy and the praise and worship of God.”
The new Bishop holds a degree from St John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. He has worked in seminary formation, as National Director of Priests for Scotland and with the National Liturgy Commission.
Canon McKenzie has wide pastoral experience including time as parish priest at St Joseph’s Tollcross and St Andrew’s Cathedral.
He has recently been co-ordinating the programme of discernment of pastoral provision in the Archdiocese of Glasgow.
Congratulations Canon McKenzie, well deserved promotion it shows you we’re all getting older. I remember Father McKenzie coming to St Michael’s, his first parish, where he served under Fr. Harry Parkinson, God Rest His Soul, when the Presbytery was over the road on Comelybank /Cardross Road. He had a big involvement with the parish youth development, he always attended various special services as the Bishop’s MC and other occasions. He was well liked within the Parish.