The Diocese of Aberdeen announces with sadness the death of the Right Reverend Peter A. Moran, Bishop Emeritus of Aberdeen, who died this morning at the age of 91 in Northcote Lodge Care Home, Aberdeen, where he had been living in recent years.
Bishop Peter served as Bishop of Aberdeen from December 2003 until his retirement in August 2011. He will be remembered with great affection as a devoted priest, a gifted teacher and scholar, and a bishop of exceptional humility, kindness and integrity.
Born in Glasgow on 13 April 1935, Peter Moran was educated at St Aloysius’ College before proceeding to the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on 19 March 1959.
Following his ordination, he served at St Paul’s, Whiteinch, and St Peter’s, Partick, in Glasgow. He continued his academic studies at the University of Glasgow, Jordanhill College of Education and the University of Aberdeen.
He had a particularly long and distinguished association with Blairs College, where he taught from 1964 until 1986. Generations of students, both those who went on to become priests and those who followed other paths in life, will remember his distinctive teaching style, formidable intellect and lifelong commitment to education.
He subsequently served as priest in charge and then parish priest of St Mary’s, Blairs, before becoming parish priest in Inverurie in 1993. He was appointed a Canon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, in 1995.
Following the appointment of Bishop Mario Conti as Archbishop of Glasgow in 2002, Canon Peter served as Diocesan Administrator during the vacancy of the See of Aberdeen. He was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen on 13 October 2003 and ordained bishop on 1 December that year. He served for almost eight years before being succeeded by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB in 2011.
Paying tribute to his predecessor, Bishop Hugh said:
“Bishop Peter was one of the most genuinely humble men I have ever met. He was a priest to his fingertips, utterly dedicated to his vocation and to the service of the Church. He was a man of great integrity, extraordinary diligence and unfailing goodwill.
“The words of Our Lord about Nathanael come very readily to mind: ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.’ That was Bishop Peter. He was a thoroughly honest, upright and good man, without pretence or self-importance.
“He brought tremendous care and attention to everything he undertook, whether preparing a homily, teaching a class or making decisions as bishop. He had a great desire to be fair to everyone, and his kindness and charity shone through everything he did.”
“He was a man of immense gifts, but he wore them lightly. He was loved and respected as a priest and bishop, and he will be remembered with enormous affection by his family, fellow priests, former students and so many people whose lives he touched.”
Bishop Peter was an accomplished classical scholar, with an exceptional command of Latin and Greek. He spoke Italian and Spanish and was particularly fluent in French. He was a co-founder and chaplain of the French-speaking Catholic community in Aberdeen, regularly celebrating Mass for its members.
A natural academic and teacher, he was also a preacher of great clarity, who devoted considerable time and care to preparing his homilies.
His interests extended well beyond theology and languages. He enjoyed building and sailing boats, was a fine pianist with an extensive knowledge of classical music and shared a particular enthusiasm for music with his great friend Fr Bill Anderson. He also had a remarkable command of Doric and greatly enjoyed reading Doric poetry.
As a bishop, he took a close interest in the work of SCIAF and was deeply committed to ecumenical relations. He served as Bishop Promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea, the Church’s ministry to seafarers, and also represented the Scottish bishops on the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union.
He is survived by his three sisters, including Sr Elizabeth Moran, a Columban Sister, who lived alongside him at Northcote Lodge Care Home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Bishop Hugh asks the priests, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Aberdeen and beyond to remember Bishop Peter in their prayers and to pray for his eternal repose.
“May the Lord, whom he served so faithfully throughout his long life, welcome him into the joy of his Kingdom and reward him for his many years of devoted service to Christ, his Church and his people. May he rest in peace.”
