Angus MacDonald (bishop) facts for kids

Angus MacDonald (born 1844, died 1900) was an important Scottish Roman Catholic priest. He later became the first Bishop of Argyll and the Isles from 1878 to 1892. After that, he served as the third Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh from 1892 until his death.

Early Life and Education

Angus MacDonald was born on 18 September 1844. His birthplace was Borrodale on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. He was the third son of Angus and Mary MacDonald. His older brother, Hugh MacDonald, also became a bishop.

Angus went to school at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw. He then studied at the University of London. From there, he earned a degree called a Bachelor of Arts.

Becoming a Priest

Angus MacDonald became a priest on 7 July 1872. His first job was at St Patrick's Church in Anderston, Glasgow. Later, he moved to Arisaig, Inverness-shire.

In Arisaig, he helped an older priest. When that priest passed away, Angus took over the parish. He worked with people he had known since he was a child. He spoke Gaelic, which helped him teach and support many people. This was important because many of them did not understand or speak English.

Becoming a Bishop

First Bishop of Argyll and the Isles

The Catholic Church in Scotland was reorganized on 15 March 1878. Soon after, on 22 March 1878, Angus MacDonald was chosen. He became the first bishop of the new Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. This appointment was made by the Holy See, which is the central authority of the Catholic Church.

He officially became a bishop on 23 May 1878. Archbishop Charles Petre Eyre of Glasgow led the ceremony. Bishop MacDonald made his home at St Columba's Cathedral in Oban. He worked hard to rebuild the Catholic Church in his new area. This was after many years when Catholics faced unfair treatment. He visited his large diocese often, no matter the weather.

When he first arrived, Oban was mostly Gaelic-speaking. However, most people there were not Catholic. There was a lot of dislike towards Catholics at the time. Some stories say Bishop MacDonald needed a guard to walk safely in Oban. The main church office was placed in Oban because it was a key travel hub for the Highlands and islands.

Helping His Community

Bishop MacDonald often traveled on Highland steamboats. He was known for wearing oilskin clothing to protect against the weather. He helped build new churches and schools. He and his priests worked tirelessly to support their faith and community.

He also cared deeply about helping people who were struggling. Many people faced unfair rents and were forced to leave their homes. This was due to actions by powerful landowners. Bishop MacDonald worked to get help for these people. He supported their efforts to stand up for their rights.

In May 1883, Bishop MacDonald wrote to a special commission. He explained how Catholics in South Uist and Barra were treated unfairly in schools. Even though most children were Catholic, they were not allowed to have Catholic teachers. He also spoke about how tenants feared losing their homes if they spoke up.

Bishop MacDonald and his priests were brave leaders. They helped people protest unfair rents. They were very upset by how many Catholics were forced out of their homes during the Highland Clearances. They believed that these forced removals were wrong.

Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

After 14 years as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, he moved to a new role. On 15 July 1892, he became the Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. His replacement as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles was George Smith. However, some people noted that Bishop Smith did not speak Gaelic. This was a challenge in a diocese where many people spoke Gaelic.

As Archbishop, MacDonald continued his work with great energy and kindness. He paid close attention to all his new duties. He died while still in office on 29 April 1900. He was 55 years old.

See Also

• List of Roman Catholic bishops of Argyll and the Isles
• List of Roman Catholic archbishops of St Andrews and Edinburgh