The Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh has announced that the First Minister of Scotland, Mr. John Swinney, received in audience 14 international priests on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Led by Canon Kenneth Owens, Vicar Episcopal for International Clergy, the priests working in the Archdiocese were welcomed to Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Canon Owens stated that “Our international clergy contribute greatly to the life of the Church in Scotland, and it was encouraging to have the opportunity to share something of that ministry while assuring him of our prayers.”
Canon Owens detailed that the clerics “spoke about areas of responsibility held by the Scottish Government – constitutional arrangements of the four nations of the United Kingdom, the Assisted Dying Bill currently under discussion, the rights of immigrants, and the proposed removal of VAT relief from churches.”
The First Minister of Scotland, Mr. John Swinney, with the 14 international priests at Bute House. Credit: https://archedinburgh.org/international-clergy-meet-first-minister-at-bute-house/.
Canon Owens, who is the parish priest of St. Peter’s Morningside and St. Columba’s, Newington, disclosed that the First Minister recognised “the valuable contribution they [international priests] make to the life of the Church and wider society.”
Responding, Mr. Swinney expressed appreciation to the priests for “coming to Scotland as missionaries.”
The international priests who paid the visit come from Nigeria, India, Argentina, Sri Lanka and Scotland, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the Archdiocese and its rich international contribution to the Church’s mission.
The Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh has historically supported missions in Africa through the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa) and diocesan priests in Zambia’s Mpika Diocese, and Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Jos and Bauchi Diocese.
Fantastic news and very prestigious for the Church ⛪️
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It’s encouraging to see faith and public leadership engaging positively. Wonderful to see the important contribution of international priests recognised. Their ministry enriches both the Church and the wider community in Scotland.
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