The 2006 Scottish Catholic Directory, based on statistics for 2004, lists the Catholic population of the Diocese of Aberdeen as an estimated 25,000, constituting about 2.9% of the total population of the area.
Based on a survey undertaken in 2002 (by Christian Research), some 11.2% of the population of Scotland attended church on an average Sunday in 2002. This is significantly higher than the 7.5% who attended in England in 1998, and shows that Scotland still has a strong tradition of church going. The results do show the expected decline in church attendance since the 1994 Church Census.
However, there are some denominations, some parts of the country and certain groups in the population, which are doing better than might be expected. The two largest denominations, Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic, have many more churches and attendees than the smaller denominations, and so their decline offset the gains by others. Between 1994 and 2002, Roman Catholic attendance in Scotland declined 19%, to just over 200,000.
Catholics, while few in number, constitute a respected and at times influential community throughout most of the extensive area of the diocese. This is in part due to the long history of the Church in the North East and Highlands of Scotland, and in part due to the prestige of the Church elsewhere in the British Isles and throughout the world.
We develop relationships at the level of Church leaders (through Action of Churches Together in Scotland) and at local level (through shared work and prayer). Within the diocesan area, the main denomination remains the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Relationships are good with other churches, especially the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Priests
There are over 30 secular priests (including retired and few on loan from various dioceses in Poland) and 17 regular priests in the Diocese.
There are two candidates in training (2006) for the secular priesthood: one at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, and one at Scotus College, Glasgow. Both were ordained deacons this year, and we look forward to seeing them ordained priest next summer.
Deacons
There are 13 permanent Deacons actively serving in the Diocese.
Conference of Religious of the Diocese
The Diocesan Conference of Religious has been established to provide an opportunity for the Bishop to meet the religious of the Diocese.
The Conference comprises the members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic life active in the Diocese, as well as those consecrated to God in terms of canons 603 and 604. Clerical members of these institutes who are already members of the Priests’ Council of the Diocese are invited to send representatives to the Conference.
The Religious of the diocese meet twice each year, with the Bishop presiding: they form a Conference of Religious, with its own Constitution. The chairperson is Sr Moira Donnelly, r.s.c.j.
Religious
There is one Benedictine Abbey, Pluscarden Abbey. This is essentially a contemplative community; it provides hospitality and support for prayer and retreats. The community includes eight priests. This is a community with a wide spread of ages. Abbot: Rt. Rev. Hugh Gilbert OSB.
We have two members of the Order of Preachers: one cares for the parish at Beauly; the other is chaplain to the University of Aberdeen.
We have three members of the Society of Jesus, all working in parishes: at St Joseph’s, Aberdeen; Dingwall; and Nairn.
There are five communities of women religious:
- The Society of the Sacred Heart in Aberdeen and Inverness.
- Sisters of Mercy, in Elgin.
- Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, at Ellon and in Portlethen, Aberdeen.
- La Sainte Union, at Culloden, Inverness.