Scottish Catholic Historical Association. Principal body for Catholic history in Scotland, est 1950. Our journal, the Innes Review, published by @edinburghup
For the first time since 1994, the Pope is personally carrying the Cross for all 14 Stations of the Cross, as Pope Leo XIV leads the Via Crucis at Rome’s Colosseum in the first Good Friday of his Pontificate.
Wishing all Members and Friends of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association a Happy and Blessed Easter! May the light of the Resurrection bring joy and renewed hope to your scholarly work and lives. #HappyEaster#ScottishCatholic#CatholicHistory#SCHA
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.
Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry. He succeeds Fr Nick Welsh, whose dedicated service to the College is warmly acknowledged by the Bishops.
Fr Matthew studied at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome from 2009 to 2017. He was ordained to the priesthood on 30 June 2016 at St John’s Church, Barrhead.
Following ordination, he served as curate at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, from 2017 to 2019. He was appointed Parish Priest of St Francis, Port Glasgow, in 2019, serving there until 2024. Since then, he has been Parish Priest of St Aidan’s, Johnstone, and since 2025 has also served Christ the King, Howwood.
In addition to parish ministry, Fr Matthew currently serves as Vicar Episcopal for Education in the Diocese of Paisley and as Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
"I want to thank Father Matthew for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests. He has been happy and thriving in his parish work, in his commitments in the diocese regarding our schools as well as in his national work at our Tribunal. We will miss him from our diocese both personally and pastorally for the time when he is away. I know he will now accept this latest appointment by the bishops of Scotland with his same characteristic faithfulness, dedication and zeal. We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome."
Fr Matthew said:
“I was privileged to spend eight years at the Scots College in Rome, studying, praying, and preparing to serve God's people. I am immensely grateful for everything I received during that time, and I look forward to assisting others in their formation for the diocesan priesthood. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop John Keenan for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector. I ask everyone to keep me, and all those involved in priestly formation, in their prayers.”
The Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr Mark Cassidy, said:
"I am delighted that Fr Matthew will be joining the College as vice rector in succession to Fr Nick Welsh. Bringing his own talents and gifts to the role, I am sure that Fr Matthew will build on the good work done by his predecessor in helping to develop the formation programme here at the College. I know that Fr Matthew will be a great example and mentor to our men studying for the priesthood."
The Bishops of Scotland commend Fr Matthew to the prayers of the faithful as he prepares to take up this important role in the life of the Church in Scotland.
We warmly invite you to a free public talk “Catholic Women Writers: Voices from Scotland & Beyond” on 11 Feb 2026 at the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh. Featuring our Council member Dr @LindenBicket & Dr Rebekah Lamb-Varela. Registration: https://t.co/lguNrbEw1a #CatholicLiterature
Exciting news from our Convener, Dr Leonardo Franchi: a special virtual issue of The Innes Review on Catholic education. All articles since 1950 free until 31 July 2026! Link: https://t.co/pSHquvrbMn
#CatholicEducation#ScottishHistory#TheInnesReview
Dear members and friends of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association,
As we celebrate the Nativity, may the peace and joy of Christmas fill your hearts. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2026!
Warm regards,
Explore Canon Hannan’s mission among Edinburgh’s Irish poor and the birth of Hibernian FC. Author Mike Hennessy speaks 2 Dec, 6:30 PM, 16 St Mary’s St. in Edinburgh. Tickets & book: https://t.co/evEwXcJt8A #HibernianHistory#EdinburghIrish
Don't miss the 3rd Annual Jenny Wormald Lecture! Prof. Elizabeth Ewan (Univ. of Guelph) on 'Feuding in the Streets? Gender, Crime, and Conflict in Scottish Towns, c. 1500-1600'. Friday, 24 October 2025, 5:30 PM at @UofGlasgow ARC. Few tickets left! Book: https://t.co/6fWoKdHu87
We warmly invite you to the launch of the Scottish Catholic Studies Arts Lab at @UofGlasgow on 22 Oct 2025, 4:30PM, Senate Room. Discover our academic plans, incl. a free online course & symposium. Free, open to all! 🏛️ #ScottishCatholicStudies#UofGlasgow https://t.co/KW5EwsgQEP
Excellent day yesterday leading a history seminar on feast of St Ninian as episcopal church and RC church signed a friendship agreement
Thanks @Feorlean Charlotte Methuen, Scott Spurlock, @leocushley@BishopStrange & many other good folk.
@scha1950@Scotchurchhist
If you cannot make the event, but would like to be involved in the future, please email Research Manager Dr Lizzie Swarbrick FSAScot at [email protected]@LizzieSwarbrick
Join us on Thursday 11 September 2025 at Augustine United Church, Edinburgh, for a free symposium on Scotland’s church heritage. Explore its cultural significance through talks and a panel discussion. Hybrid event with Zoom access. Reserve your spot: https://t.co/WARnHromyI
📢 The Turnbull Scholarship offers tuition funding for part-time doctoral studies in Catholic education at @UofGlasgow. Open to teachers employed in Catholic schools in Scotland. Application deadline: 30 Aug 2025. Please see details below. #CatholicEducation#Scholarship
📖 Free featured article alert!
In the latest issue of @scha1950's The Inness Review, @PhilipTonner presents a new view of Franciscan theologian-philosopher John Duns Scotus. Discover the historical controvery and modern legacy of the great philosopher: https://t.co/sFqu9spLe9
📘 Issue 76.1 of @scha1950's The Innes Review is now available. Discover articles on:
- life in 12th century Loch Leven as observed through the community library
- the cult of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in late medieval Scotland
- and more!
Read here: https://t.co/OsyVaUEMYA
📜 @scha1950 warmly invites you to the "Ecclesiastical Buildings in Scotland: Culture, Heritage and Memory" conference, taking place on Saturday 7th June at The Ramshorn, Glasgow. The full conference programme and tickets are available on Eventbrite: https://t.co/y7Vhedr1rI