Stephen Robson

For the British artist and printmaker, seeStephen Robson (artist).

The Right Reverend Stephen Robson
Bishop Emeritus of Dunkeld
Bishop Robson in 2015
Diocese	Dunkeld
Appointed	11 December 2013
Installed	9 January 2014
Term ended	28 December 2022
Predecessor	Vincent Paul Logan
Successor	Martin Chambers
Orders
Ordination	17 March 1979 byGordon Joseph Gray
Consecration	9 June 2012 byKeith Patrick O'Brien
Personal details
Born	Stephen Robson (1951-04-01)1 April 1951 Carlisle,Cumberland,England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	Leslie and Margery Robson
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh (BSc 1974; MTh 1986) St Andrew's College, Drygrange Pontifical Gregorian University (STL 2000; STD 2003; JCL 2006)
Motto	Peregrinator pro Christo (Pilgrim for Christ)

Styles of Stephen Robson
Reference style	The Right Reverend
Spoken style	Your Lordship
Religious style	Bishop

Stephen Robson(born 1 April 1951) is the retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese ofDunkeld.From 2012 to 2014 he wasauxiliary bishopof theArchdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Early life

Stephen Robson was born inCarlisle,in theDiocese of Lancaster,on 1 April 1951. Baptised in theAnglicantradition on 15 May 1951,he became a Roman Catholic while a teenager.After secondary school he attended theUniversity of Edinburghwhere he obtained a degree in biological sciences with a specialisation in medical technology atNapier Collegeof Science inEdinburgh.He was heavily influenced by the localJesuitcommunity while studying in Edinburgh.

Formation and further studies

Robson completed his studies for ordination atSt Andrew's College, Drygrange.During his ministry at thePontifical Scots Collegein Rome he gained a Licentiate and Doctorate in Spiritual Theology and a Licentiate in Canon Law at thePontifical Gregorian University.

In 2004, his doctoral thesis, entitled "With the Spirit and Power of Elijah: The Prophetic-reforming Spirituality ofBernard of Clairvauxas Evidenced Particularly in His Letters ", was awarded the Gregorian University's Bellarmine Medal (Theology),awarded to recognise the best thesis submitted each year in theology.CistercianP. Alkuin Schachenmayr wrote that "dozens of passages in Robson’s dissertation"seemed identical to passages published by other authors, yet without giving them proper attribution. An investigation by the Gregorian cleared Robson of these charges in 2020.

In 2021, philosopher M.V. Dougherty identified multiple further examples of plagiarism in Robson's monograph and raised concerns about the thoroughness and independence of the Gregorian's investigation.

Priesthood

Robson was ordaineddeaconon 12 February 1978, and priest on 17 March 1979 for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

He subsequently held the following pastoral assignments:

• Parochial Vicarat St. Mary's,Kirkcaldy(1979–1981)
• Tutor atSt Mary's College, Blairs(1980–1986)
• Assistant at the Department for Religious Education in Edinburgh then Episcopal Vicar and Director of the same (1987–1993)
• Pastor at Our Lady and St Margaret's,Duns(1988–1989)
• Pastor at Our Lady of the Waves',Dunbar(1990–1993)
• Pastor at St John Vianney's,Gilmerton.Edinburgh (1993–1997)

Following his period at St Mary's College, Blairs, he spent over a year living atAmpleforth Abbeywhile discerning a vocation tomonastic life.He later served asCardinal Keith O'Brien's private secretary.

From 1998 to 2006 he was the spiritual director of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

On returning to Scotland he becameChancellorof the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh and pastor of the united parishes of Our Lady's inNorth BerwickandDunbar.He also served as a judge of the Scottish NationalCatholic Tribunal.

Episcopal Ministry

Auxiliary bishop

Robson's appointment was announced on 8 May 2012 byPope Benedict XVIand he received episcopal consecration on 9 June 2012, the Feast ofSt Columba,from Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien withArchbishopsAntonio MenniniandMario Contiserving as co-consecrators.He was assigned the titular see of Tunnuna in Tunisia.

Immediately following his episcopal consecration he served as the representative of theBishops' Conference of Scotlandat the50th International Eucharistic Congressin Dublin from 10–17 June 2012.As auxiliary bishop, Robson became a member of the bishops' conference. Following his episcopal ordination, he continued Chancellor of the archdiocese and served as parish priest at Ss John Cantius and Nicholas,Broxburn,beginning in September 2012.

When Cardinal O'Brien resigned in February 2013 after being accused of sexual misconduct by other priests, Robson was namedapostolic administratorand entrusted with running the daily affairs of the archdiocese.Robson and O'Brien had been close for over 30 years; they met while colleagues on the staff of St Mary’s College, Blairs.

In March 2013 Robson was appointed to be one of the twelve members of the controversialMcLellan Commission,which was to review how the Scottish Church deals with accusations of sexual abuse;Kevin McKenna ofThe Guardiancalled its August 2015 report a "whitewash".

Bishop of Dunkeld

On 11 December 2013, Robson was appointedBishop of DunkeldbyPope Francis.He was installed inSt Andrew's Cathedral, Dundee,on 9 January 2014. He announced his resignation on 28 December 2022, citing ill health.

Apostleship of the Sea

In February 2015, Robson was appointed Bishop Promoter and a Trustee of Catholic seafarers' charityApostleship of the Sea.