Tributes to bishop taken by pandemic
The Bishop of Dunkeld has spoken of his sadness at the loss of his “energetic and innovative” predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Vincent Logan.
Bishop Stephen Robson was responding to news that on Thursday, January 14, retired bishop Vincent Logan died after a battle with COVID-19. He was aged 79.
Consecrated as a bishop in February 1981 at the age of 39 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, Bishop Logan was one of the youngest Catholic bishops in the world at the time.
He was appointed to head the Diocese of Dunkeld by Saint John Paul II. After nearly 32 years in the post, he retired from serving as bishop of Dunkeld in 2012.
Sadly his retirement years were touched by a ill health which affected his mobility.
During this time he benefited from the “exemplary” caring and support of Elaine Harrison, his faithful personal assistant, press officer and friend of 40 years.
Bishop Logan is survived by one remaining brother, James, and by two nephews, Vincent and James.
Bishop Robson said of his predecessor: “Bishop Vincent served for 32 very energetic and innovative years both in the Diocese and in the Bishops Conference. His work was greatly appreciated at all times.
“Much can be said about Bishop Vincent’s achievements, but these can wait for a more leisurely time once the pandemic dangers have passed and we can celebrate Bishop Vincent’s Requiem Mass more appropriately.”
He added: “The funeral arrangements are as yet unknown, but the Mass and burial will be recorded and streamed, so that all who have access to the internet will be able to participate.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: “Bishop Vincent served the people of the Diocese of Dunkeld with faithfulness, empathy and love for so many years.
“It was always a great pleasure to attend St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee, to hear him at the annual civic and academic Mass and to meet him around my constituency on his many visits.
“He was a man of great kindness which he extended to my family and we will miss him dearly.
“I extend my sympathy to his family and to those who have worked with and supported him so faithfully for so long.”
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for the Perthshire South and Kinrossshire constituency, expressed her sadness: “I was very sorry indeed to hear news of Bishop Logan’s death.
“As Bishop of Dunkeld, Vincent Logan served the people of this area with kindness and compassion and he will be remembered fondly by all who met him.
“As a local parliamentarian during a fair portion of his tenure, I certainly appreciated his wise counsel and quiet support.”
Bishop Logan was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, on June 30, 1941.
He was ordained as a priest by
Cardinal Gray in Edinburgh on March 14, 1964.
Following on from a number of diocesan appointments as assistant priest in Edinburgh, and further studies in catechetics in Corpus Christi College London, Vincent was appointed diocesan advisor in RE, director of the RE office in the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, and finally vicar episcopal for education in the archdiocese from 1977-1981.
His final parochial appointment in the archdiocese was as parish priest of St Mary’s, Ratho, from 1977-1981.
Following on from his consecration as Bishop of Dunkeld on February 26, 1981, he served for 32 years both in the diocese and in the Bishops Conference.