Diocese of Argyll & the Isles

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

29/08/2026

As we make our long journey home I am inspired for many reasons including the work of the Church in Malawi and our Scottish Church’s accompaniment with them. Malawi is reckoned to be the 6th poorest country in the world. Malawi’s population is roughly 4 times more than ours but like Scotland has 8 dioceses. We spent time in 3 dioceses and witnessed their incredible service of the poor, not just in food relief due to the drought but in giving hope to the youth, women, albinos, disabled and farmers through empowerment programmes. We joined bishops, priests, religious and laity working together in the field. The Scottish Church - through our official aid agency - partners these projects, not just financially but through accompaniment, training and other support. The Church offers schooling, healthcare and vocational training to everyone, regardless of religion or denomination. It does not seek to proselytise but sees everyone as children of God.
Our group also enjoyed joining local parishes for Mass.
At our debriefing meeting this morning with Bishop Vincent I described the Scottish Church’s involvement (through SCIAF) with the Malawian Church as an ‘exchange of gifts’ where they benefit from our finance and expertise but we learn from their example, reflection, service of the poor and much more. Yes, I know the Church frustrates us all at times and her members are sinners who can cause scandal but she is first and always the Body of Christ and her holiness shines forth for the world’s healing when we together live the Gospel.
+Brian

28/08/2026

I don’t know if you ever go to work singing like these ladies? Yesterday we had another inspiring day, this time up in the mountains, and they were showing us the fruits of their labours. The climate crisis and high inflation has further impoverished the villagers but the SCIAF funded project, in partnership with the local diocese, has brought irrigation (solar panel pumps), better agricultural techniques and, in an area with no other employment, training in skills. We saw abundant green fields, reforestation and products to sell.
We saw many remaining challenges but the hard working villagers have hope. Our descent took 3 hours on very rough dirt tracks but our spirits were high!

26/08/2026

We had a most inspiring day visiting Zomba’s diocesan Justice and Peace Group’s work with albinos. Since 2019 SCIAF has funded the project. Albinism is an absence of pigment in the skin, eyes and hair.
Throughout Africa superstition surrounds albinism and albinos face discrimination, abduction and murder. Most do not leave their homes. Sr Placida lived in Kenya for thirty years and only ever met one albino. Incredibly, over the past few years 22 albinos have been killed in the Zomba region!
The programme has brought together albinos, police, local chiefs and others to change the culture. The targets were to (i) make life secure from attack (ii) provide protection from the sun and (iii) economic independence. Educating the community and police involvement has dramatically reduced attacks which gives albinos confidence to leave their homes. Providing sun tan lotion and sun glasses has reduced skin cancer. Vocational training has opened the workplace and so financial security.
We met 11 albinos from teenagers to the elderly who all expressed their gratitude to SCIAF because the project had utterly transformed their lives. “I never expected that my life could ever have become what it is now”, one enthused.

25/08/2026

Sadly over half of Malawi’s youth have been given no skills for employment which condemns them to a life of poverty and, for some, despair. Today we visited a SCIAF funded ‘Hope for Youth’ project at the Namitembo Training Centre. Our partner is the local Catholic Diocese of Zomba. Since 2021 488 young people aged between 18-35 have been trained for employment in bricklaying, carpentry and fabrication & welding. There is a focus on training women and youth with disabilities.
We met the students, saw examples of their work and listened to their stories. We then visited 4 graduates at their work places. All graduates are offered on going mentoring including legal advice, financial services and advertising and they all testified that this extra support ensured the success of their business. SCIAF pays for the course and mentoring.
It was uplifting to hear the young people describe how their lives had been transformed from hopeless poverty to deep personal joy at heir new found dignity and being able to pay for their children’s food, education and basic goods. One welder now employs 4 workers while another, having benefited from free training, trains other young people free of charge! It is not just the workers themselves who will benefit or their families but wider society too.
Everyone, including the bishop, expressed their deep gratitude to SCIAF which, of course, includes their donors. So sincere thanks for all your support of SCIAF who truly does change the lives of the poor.
The video shows our welcome from the young people and the pictures are examples of their work while the others are of former students now in employment.

24/08/2026

Today I began with Mass at 6am on the Feast of St Bartholomew, apostle. The first Reading revealed that Jesus gave the Church 12 foundations - the Apostles - which would continue the ministry of Christ before its fulfilment as the Bride of Christ at the End of Time. The Church’s mission is the same as Christ’s and so serving the poor, vulnerable and marginalised are integral to our mission.
After Mass we had a meeting with Caritas Malawi, the Catholic Church’s aid and development organisation just as SCIAF is for the Scottish Bishops’ Conference. SCIAF has been partners of Caritas Malawi for over 40 years. This is characteristic of SCIAF’s partner model: long term commitment to a group which shares the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in a relationship of equal partners rather than than a power unbalance of donors and recipients. Our meeting was an opportunity to listen to each other’s needs and realities, express our solidarity, deepen our partnership and so increase the impact of both Caritas Malawi and SCIAF.
We have all heard of El Niño weather phenomenon. Northern Malawi expects extreme dryness and drought while the south faces the consequences of flash flooding. There has been a steady increase in climate shocks which means people haven’t properly recovered before the next one strikes. This weakens peoples’ ability to flourish and even survive. The Malawian Church is highly respected for its work in helping the most vulnerable, not just in the aftermath of disaster (e.g. food relief) but helping them become more resilient before a particular challenge occurs (e.g. practical advice for the most suitable crops for the predicted weather system). I am delighted that our own Scottish Church helps though SCIAF - and that of course includes you for all your donations and interest. In doing so you continue the ministry of Jesus and, even here on earth, make the Church more truly the Bride of Christ.

23/08/2026

I have just arrived in Malawi where SCIAF and local partners work together enabling people to improve their lives. Our Group consists of SCIAF staff: Lorraine (CEO) Michael (Community Engagement) and Blessings (Programme Officer for Malawi and Rwanda) and two volunteers: Sr Placida (Integral Human Development Committee) and myself (Bishop President). These visits are important for deepening bonds with our partners and their clients, evaluating progress, sharing experience and offering support if required. I am wondering what I will learn from the local people, for I know they will possess profound wisdom. Blessings is Malawian and is our group leader so we will be in good hands. Sr Placida is a fellow Greenockian and chaplain to Morton Women so perhaps Malawi will be ‘blessed’ by the presence of two Morton fans in their midst😂

21/08/2026

Congratulations to our young parishioner from St Margaret’s, Roy Bridge who was recently confirmed.

18/08/2026

Please read my Pastoral Letter regarding the future of mission within our diocese. Explanatory notes can be found beside my letter https://www.rcdai.org.uk/
The Church exists for mission so it’s importance touches us all. Please pray daily that our hearts and minds increasingly open to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
+Brian