Former MP who became a priest dies aged 88

TRIBUTES have been paid to father George Thompson, a former SNP MP who became a priest.

Fr Thompson, a former MP for Galloway, was aged 88.

Bishop William Nolan, the Bishop of Galloway, said: “Father George Thompson was a man whose life was inspired and motivated by a deep faith in Jesus Christ, a faith he put into practice by embracing three vocations: teaching, politics and the priesthood.

“In each of these he sought to serve God and to serve others. We give thanks to God for all the good that he did throughout his life.”

George Thompson, born in Glenkens in 1928, was elected as the SNP MP for Galloway in the October 1974 General Election, losing the seat in 1979 to the Conservative candidate, Ian Lang.

Mr Thompson was then ordained a priest for the Diocese of Galloway in St Teresa’s, Dumfries, in 1989. He served as assistant in St Teresa’s, as Parish Priest in St Margaret of Scotland in Irvine, and as Parish Priest in St Peter’s, Dalbeattie and retired in 2005.

Bishop Nolan added: “The people of Galloway have been blessed by his commitment to public service, but as Bishop of Galloway I am particularly grateful to him for his years of service as a priest.

“We commend Fr. George Thompson in our prayers to the loving mercy of God. May he rest in peace.”

The funeral will take place in St Teresa’s, Dumfries, on January 6 and Bishop Nolan will be the Principal celebrant.

For the last four years Fr Thompson had been in Senwick Nursing Home in Borgue, where he “died peacefully”, a church statement said, on December 23.