The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Scotland has appointed a new vice rector for the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.
In a statement, the Bishops stated, Fr. Matthew Carlin, “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.”
The appointment was greeted with excitement among priests, religious, and laity across the 8 dioceses in Scotland – Province of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh Archdiocese with suffragan dioceses such as Dunkeld, Galloway, Aberdeen and Argyll and the Isles, as well as the Archdiocese of Glasgow Province with its suffragan dioceses of Motherwell and Paisley.
In his reaction, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, stated, “I know he will now accept this latest appointment by the bishops of Scotland with his same characteristic faithfulness, dedication and zeal,” while noting, “We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome.”
Bishop Keenan expressed appreciation to Fr. Carlin “for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests,” stressing that “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.”
Being a priest of his diocese, the Bishop said, “We will miss him from our diocese both personally and pastorally for the time when he is away.”
On his part, the Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr. Mark Cassidy, expressed optimism that Fr. Matthew will succeed Fr. Nick Welsh by joining the College as a vice rector.
He assured that the appointee would bring “his own talents and gifts to the role” and “build on the good work done by his predecessor in helping to develop the formation programme here at the College.”
Fr. Cassidy noted that without a doubt, Fr. Matthew “will be a great example and mentor to our men studying for the priesthood.”
Meanwhile, the statement indicated that “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.”
Fr. Carlin, who succeeds Fr. Nick Welsh, was ordained a priest on 30 June 2016 at St John’s Church, Barrhead, after studying at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome (2009-2017).
He was a curate at St. Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley (2017-2019) and rose to become the Parish Priest of St. Francis, Port Glasgow (2019-2024).
In 2025, served as Parish Priest of St. Aidan’s, Johnstone, while shepherding Christ the King, Howwood.
Until this appointment, was the Vicar Episcopal for Education, Paisley Diocese, and Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.
In his remarks, Fr. Carlin, 38, expressed his gratitude to Bishop Keenan “for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector,” adding, “I ask everyone to keep me, and all those involved in priestly formation, in their prayers.”
According to him, “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.”
