Joseph Toal

The Right Reverend Joseph Anthony Toal
Bishop of Motherwell
Church	Roman Catholic Church
Diocese	Motherwell
Appointed	29 April 2014
Installed	23 June 2014
Predecessor	Joseph Devine
Previous post(s)	Bishop of Argyll & the Isles (2008–14)
Orders
Ordination	10 July 1980 byColin MacPherson
Consecration	8 December 2008 byKeith O'Brien
Rank	Bishop
Personal details
Born	(1956-10-13)13 October 1956 Roybridge,Scotland,UK
Nationality	Scottish
Education	St Mary's College, Blairs
Alma mater	Royal Scots College, Valladolid
Motto	Latin:Humiliter ambulare cum Deo
Coat of arms

Joseph Anthony Toal(born 13 October 1956) is a ScottishRoman Catholicbishop. On 29 April 2014 he was named byPope Francisas the fifthBishop of Motherwell,having served as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles since 2008.

Biography

Born inRoy Bridge,Inverness-shire,Scotland on 13 October 1956. Educated locally at Roy Bridge Primary School he proceeded to train for the priesthood at St Vincent's College, Langbank, St Mary's College, Blairs and the Royal Scots College in Valladolid, Spain.

He wasordainedapriestof theRoman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the IslesatSt Columba's CathedralinObanon 10 July 1980.

After ordination Toal served inDaliburghandArdkennethonSouth Uist,CampbeltownandBenbeculabefore being appointed spiritual director at theRoyal Scots CollegeinSalamanca,Spain,in 1999. He was then vice rector before becoming rector of the College.

Toal was appointedbishopof theDiocese of Argyll and the Islesby theHoly Seeon 16 October 2008 andconsecratedto theepiscopateon 8 December 2008. The principalconsecratorwasKeith Cardinal O'Brien,Archbishop ofSt Andrews & Edinburgh.The principal co-consecrators were ArchbishopFaustino Sainz Muñoz,ApostolicNunciotoGreat Britainand BishopIan Murray,BishopEmeritusof Argyll & the Isles.

Toal has been given the names of complainants who allegeKeith Cardinal O'Briencommittedpredatory sex against them.Toal stated toThe Observernewspaper, "It's been hard listening to what's being said, but it's important we hear what they're saying and the gravity of the situation. If I can help in some way, I will."

On 29 April 2014, Toal was appointed by Pope Francis as the fifth Bishop of Motherwell. He was installed on Monday 23 June 2014 inOur Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell.

Controversy

Matthew Despard complained about what he called a culture ofhomosexualbullyingwithin the Catholic Church and alleged that higher-ranking clergy ignored or facilitated abuse. Toal arranged for letters to be given to Despard's parishioners strongly critical of Despard and later suspended him. Toal condemned Despard for questioning his authority. The overwhelming majority of parishioners walked out during a Mass which Toal held in Despard's former church. Parishioner, Geraldine Penches who was loudly applauded by others in the congregation described Matthew Despard as, "a very honest man" adding, "This is more scandal to rock the Catholic church which has to be hushed up. Because Father tells the truth he is removed from his priestly duties. We the people are the church, not the bishops."There are complaints that Despard was disciplined without being represented and a petition calling for his reinstatement got over 1,000 signatures.

Toal maintained the accusations Despard made were false anddefamatory.