Priest who was a close friend of Diana’s mother

Prayers were said in churches throughout the Highlands and islands after the death of a highly-respected Catholic priest who was a close friend to the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Canon Roddy Johnston, a well-known and popular island priest of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, died on Saturday in the Belford Hospital, Fort William, after a short illness.

Canon Roddy, who was in his 60s, was serving in St Andrew’s Parish on the Isle of Bute.

He was well known in the islands during his time as Parish Priest at Our Holy Redeemer in Stornoway.

Rt Rev Brian McGee, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, said: “No funeral arrangements have yet been made but Fr Roddy’s wishes were his requiem mass be celebrated in St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban and he would be interred in Glen Nevis Cemetery.”

Canon Roddy came to national prominence as he comforted Frances Shand Kydd, the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales, after her daughter’s death in 1997.

The late Mrs Shand Kydd was a worshipper at St Columba’s in Oban, where she also held a memorial mass for Diana. Her own funeral in 2004 at the cathedral was attended by princes William and Harry.

Canon Roddy also won widespread praise for his homily at the service of Western Isles murdered teenager Liam Aitchison at Our Holy Redeemer Church in Stornoway in a memorial service in 2011.

He said then: “If you can hold the faith that Liam is at peace, then you can find peace.”

In an interview, the priest said: “I was brought up with Presbyterianism and Catholicism and opted for Catholicism in my late 20s, but it was gradual.

“My position as a Catholic within what is really a Protestant country is much better than it would have been two or three generations ago.”

He added: “We are very lucky we have a society where we are able to express opinions, even if they may be fairly pukemaking. Compared to many parts of the world we enjoy a rare freedom of speech.”

He was installed as a Canon in March 2020 at St Columba’s Cathedral in Oban along with Fr Michael Hutson, Fr John Paul MacKinnon and Fr William MacLean.

Before training for the priesthood and ordination, he was a forester and he was a keen guitar player.

Canon Roddy also took part in Good Morning Scotland’s Thought for the Day.

POPULAR: Canon Roddy Johnston valued free speech.