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{{Short description|Catholic bishop}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = bishop
| type = bishop
| honorific-prefix = The [[Right Reverend]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Reverend]]
| name = Hugh Gilbert [[Order of Saint Benedict|OSB]]
| name = Hugh Gilbert
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of Saint Benedict|OSB]]
| honorific-suffix =
| title = [[Bishop of Aberdeen]]
| title = [[Bishop of Aberdeen]]
| image = Bishop Hugh Gilbert in 2023 (cropped).jpg
| image =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Bishop Gilbert in 2023
| church =
| church = [[Roman Catholic Church]]
| province =
| province = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh|St Andrews and Edinburgh]]
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]]
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]]
| appointed = 4 June 2011
| appointed = 4 June 2011
| enthroned = 15 August 2011
| enthroned = 15 August 2011
| predecessor = [[Peter Moran (bishop)|Peter Moran]]
| ended =
| predecessor = [[Peter Moran]]
| successor =
| successor =
| ordination = 29 June 1982
| ordination = 29 June 1982
| ordained_by = [[Mario Conti]]
| ordained_by = [[Mario Conti]]
| consecration = 15 August 2011
| consecration = 15 August 2011
| consecrated_by = [[Keith O'Brien]]
| consecrated_by = [[Keith Cardinal O'Brien]]
| other_post =
| other_post =
| motto = ''Omnia in Ipso constant'' (All things hold together in Him)
| motto = ''Omnia in Ipso constant''<br />"All things hold together in Him"
<!---------- Personal details ---------->
<!---------- Personal details ---------->| birth_name = Edward Nicholas Gilbert
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1952|03|15}}
| birth_name = Edward Gilbert
| birth_place = [[Emsworth]], Hampshire, England
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|03|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Emsworth]], [[Hampshire]], England, United Kingdom
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| buried =
| buried =
| nationality = [[United Kingdom|British]]
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
| residence =
| residence =
| parents =
| parents =
| alma_mater = [[King's College London]]
| alma_mater = [[King's College London]]
| previous_post = [[Pluscarden Abbey|Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey]] (1992 - 2011)
| previous_post = [[Pluscarden Abbey|Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey]] (1992–2011)
| signature =
| signature = <!---------- Other ---------->
<!---------- Other ---------->
| other =
| other =
}}
}}
'''Hugh Gilbert [[Order of Saint Benedict|OSB]]''' (born 15 March 1952) is an English [[Benedictine]] [[monk]] who currently serves as the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Bishop of Aberdeen]], Scotland. He had previously served as the Abbot of [[Pluscarden Abbey]], of which he is a member, also in Scotland.
'''Hugh Gilbert [[Order of Saint Benedict|OSB]]''' (born 15 March 1952) is an [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|English Catholic]] [[Benedictine]] [[monk]] who currently serves as the [[Bishop of Aberdeen]]. He previously served as the Abbot of [[Pluscarden Abbey]], of which he is a member, also in [[Scotland]].


==Life==
==Life==
===Early life===
===Early life===
On 15 March 1952, he was born '''Edward Gilbert''' in [[Emsworth]], [[Hampshire]], to an [[Anglican]] family. As a child, he was educated at the [[Independent school (United Kingdom)|independent]] [[St Paul's School, London|St Paul's School]] in [[London]]. At the age of 18, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church on [[Christmas Eve]] of 1970. He studied history at [[King's College London]] and graduated in 1974 with a [[first class honours]] degree in History.<ref name=ICNbio>{{cite news | title =Abbot of Pluscarden appointed Bishop of Aberdeen | newspaper =Independent Catholic News | location =UK | date =4 June 2011 | url =http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18349 | accessdate =10 November 2013 }}</ref>
On 15 March 1952, he was born '''Edward Nicholas Gilbert''' in [[Emsworth]], Hampshire, to an [[Anglican]] family. He was educated at the [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private]] [[St Paul's School, London|St Paul's School]] in London. At the age of 18, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church on Christmas Eve of 1970. He studied history at [[King's College London]] and graduated in 1974 with a [[first class honours]] degree in History.<ref name=ICNbio>{{cite news | title =Abbot of Pluscarden appointed Bishop of Aberdeen | newspaper =Independent Catholic News | location =UK | date =4 June 2011 | url =http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18349 | accessdate =10 November 2013 }}</ref>


===Monastic life===
===Monastic life===
Gilbert was received into the [[novitiate]] of Pluscarden Abbey in [[Moray]], Scotland, in March 1975, at which time he was given the religious name '''Hugh'''. He made his temporary profession of [[religious vows|monastic vows]] on 10 March of the following year and was then sent to the former [[Fort Augustus Abbey]]--located on the shores of [[Loch Ness]]--for studies and preparation for the [[Catholic priesthood|priesthood]]. He made his [[solemn vows|solemn]] profession of vows on 10 March 1979 and was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] a priest in 1982 on the [[Feast of Saints Peter and Paul]] (29 June) by [[Mario Conti]], then the [[Archbishop of Glasgow]].<ref name="ICNbio" />
Gilbert was received into the [[novitiate]] of Pluscarden Abbey in [[Moray]], Scotland, in March 1975, at which time he was given the religious name '''Hugh'''. He made his temporary profession of [[religious vows|monastic vows]] on 10 March of the following year and was then sent to the former [[Fort Augustus Abbey]], located on the shores of [[Loch Ness]], for studies and preparation for the [[Catholic priesthood|priesthood]]. He made his [[solemn vows|solemn]] profession of vows on 10 March 1979 and was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] a priest in 1982 on the [[Feast of Saints Peter and Paul]] (29 June) by [[Mario Conti]], then the [[Bishop of Aberdeen]].<ref name="ICNbio" />


[[dom (title)|Dom]] Alfred Spencer OSB, the first abbot in the history of the monastery,<ref>{{cite web|work=Pluscarden Abbey|title=Timeline}}</ref> subsequently appointed Gilbert to various duties in the community: sub-[[prior]] in 1984, [[master of novices|novice master]] in 1985, and prior in 1990. Gilbert was elected by the monastic community to succeed Spencer as [[abbot]] on 29 October 1992. He received the abbatial blessing from Conti the following 8 December, at which time he formally took office.<ref name="ICNbio" /> He was a member of the Council of the Union of Monastic Superiors from 1993 to 1997 and of the Abbot Visitor's Council since 1995. During his time as abbot, the community grew to 27 monks.
[[dom (title)|Dom]] Alfred Spencer OSB, the first abbot in the history of the monastery,<ref>{{cite web |title=Timeline |url=https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/timeline |website=Pluscarden Abbey |access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref> subsequently appointed Gilbert to various duties in the community: sub-[[Prior (ecclesiastical)|prior]] in 1984, [[master of novices|novice master]] in 1985, and prior in 1990. Gilbert was elected by the monastic community to succeed Spencer as [[abbot]] on 29 October 1992. He received the abbatial blessing from Conti on 8 December, at which time he formally took office.<ref name="ICNbio" /> He was a member of the Council of the Union of Monastic Superiors from 1993 to 1997 and of the Abbot Visitor's Council since 1995. During his time as abbot, the community grew to 27 monks.

In 2007, when the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster|Archbishop of Westminster]], [[cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[Cormac Murphy-O'Connor]] reached the age of 75, the prescribed retirement age for bishops, Gilbert was mentioned as a possible successor. It was thought however that he declined the appointment.<ref>{{cite news | last =Wakefield | first =Mary | title =A holy man tipped to lead the nation’s Catholics | newspaper =[[The Spectator]] | location =UK | date =18 March 2008 | url =http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/563866/a-holy-man-tipped-to-lead-the-nations-catholics/ | accessdate =12 November 2013 }}</ref> [[Vincent Nichols]], then the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham|Archbishop of Birmingham]], was appointed instead in 2009.


===Bishop===
===Bishop===
[[File:Meeting with Bishop Gilbert (53331718081).jpg|thumb|left|Gilbert meeting with First Minister Humza Yousaf in 2023]]
Gilbert was appointed the Bishop of Aberdeen by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 4 June 2011.<ref name=Vatican>{{cite press release | title =Rinuncia Del Vescovo Di Aberdeen (Scozia) E Nomina Del Successore | publisher =[[Holy See Press Office]] | date =4 June 2011 | url =http://archive.is/press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/27593.php?index=27593&lang=en%23 | accessdate =12 November 2013}}</ref> He was ordained for this office at the [[St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen|Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Assumption]] in [[Aberdeen]] by Cardinal [[Keith O'Brien]], the [[Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh]], on the [[Feast of the Assumption]] (15 August) 2011.<ref name=bgilberth>{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bgilberth|Bishop Hugh (Edward) Gilbert, O.S.B.|5 June 2011}}</ref> He chose as his episcopal motto ''Omnia in Ipso constant'' (All things hold together in Him), which is a verse from the ''[[Letter to the Colossians]]'' (1:17).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dioceseofaberdeen.org/bishop|work=Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland|title=Rt Rev. Hugh Gilbert OSB}}</ref>
Gilbert was appointed the Bishop of Aberdeen by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 4 June 2011.<ref name=Vatican>{{cite press release|title=Rinuncia Del Vescovo Di Aberdeen (Scozia) E Nomina Del Successore |publisher=[[Holy See Press Office]] |date=4 June 2011 |url=http://news_services/bulletin/news/27593.php?index=27593&lang=en |accessdate=12 November 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120715205449/http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/27593.php?index=27593&lang=en%23 |archivedate=15 July 2012 }}</ref> He was consecrated for this office at the [[St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen|Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Assumption]] in Aberdeen by [[Keith Cardinal O'Brien]], [[Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh]], on the [[Feast of the Assumption]] (15 August) 2011.<ref name=bgilberth>{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bgilberth|Bishop Hugh (Edward) Gilbert, O.S.B.|5 June 2011}}</ref> He chose as his episcopal motto ''Omnia in Ipso constant'' (All things hold together in Him), which is a verse from the ''[[Letter to the Colossians]]'' (1:17).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dioceseofaberdeen.org/bishop|work=Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland|title=Rt Rev. Hugh Gilbert OSB}}</ref>

Gilbert will be expected to find a way of tackling secularism and boosting church attendance.{{by whom|date=November 2013}} The Catholic Church has suffered a fall in the size of its congregations in Scotland, in common with much of Europe and with other Christian denominations in Scotland.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} However, the Diocese of Aberdeen has seen an increase in its Catholic population in recent years with the arrival of workers from [[Eastern Europe]], particularly Poland and Lithuania.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}


==Same-sex marriage==
==Controversies==
In August 2012, Gilbert intervened in the Scottish [[same-sex marriage]] debate by arguing that if the Scottish Government truly believed in equality it would also make incest and polygamy legal: "If we really want equality, why does that equality not extend to nieces who genuinely, truly love their uncles?" He added: "The truth is that a government can pass any legislation it likes, it can legislate to say that everything with four legs is a table, even when it’s a dog and not a horse, but that won’t make it so." His comments met with criticism from campaigners for equal rights who called his comments offensive.<ref name="pinknews">{{cite news | title =Catholic Bishop: Government should make incest legal if it really believes in equality | newspaper =[[Pink News]] | location =UK | date =5 August 2012 | url =http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/08/05/catholic-bishop-government-should-make-incest-legal-if-it-really-believes-in-equality | accessdate =12 November 2013}}/</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Reynolds | first =Rory | title =Same-sex marriage: Anger over bishop’s bigamy and incest jibe | newspaper =[[The Scotsman]] | location =UK | date =5 August 2012 | url =http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/same-sex-marriage-anger-over-bishop-s-bigamy-and-incest-jibe-1-2451060 | accessdate =12 November 2013}}</ref>
In August 2012, Gilbert argued, using both [[sarcasm]] and the tactic of ''[[reductio ad absurdum]]'', in the Scottish [[same-sex marriage]] debate that if the Scottish Government truly believed in [[marriage equality]], the State would also legalize [[incest]] and [[polygamy]].<ref name="pinknews">{{cite news | title =Catholic Bishop: Government should make incest legal if it really believes in equality | newspaper =[[Pink News]] | location =UK | date =5 August 2012 | url =http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/08/05/catholic-bishop-government-should-make-incest-legal-if-it-really-believes-in-equality | accessdate =12 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Reynolds | first =Rory | title =Same-sex marriage: Anger over bishop's bigamy and incest jibe | newspaper =[[The Scotsman]] | location =UK | date =5 August 2012 | url =http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/same-sex-marriage-anger-over-bishop-s-bigamy-and-incest-jibe-1-2451060 | accessdate =12 November 2013}}</ref>


==Author==
==Author==
Gilbert has written a number of journal articles and books on spirituality. His books are:
Gilbert has written a number of journal articles and books on spirituality. His books are:


*''Unfolding the Mystery'' (Gracewing, 2007), a collection of [[sermon|homilies]] and conferences on the [[liturgy|liturgical]] year
*''Unfolding the Mystery'' (Gracewing, 2007), a collection of [[sermon|homilies]] and conferences on the [[liturgy|liturgical]] year {{ISBN | 978 085244 093 3}}
*''Living the Mystery'' (Gracewing, 2008), reflections on aspects of the Christian life.<ref name="ICNbio" />
*''Living the Mystery'' (Gracewing, 2008), reflections on aspects of the Christian life<ref name="ICNbio" /> {{ISBN | 978 085244 692 8}}
*''The Tale of Quisquis: Reading the Rule of St Benedict as Story'' (Gracewing, 2014), conferences on the rule of St Benedict {{ISBN | 978 085244 754 3}}
*''Words for the Advent and Christmas Season'' (CTS, 2014), homilies for Advent and Christmastide {{ISBN | 978 178469 007 6}}
*''Words for the Lent and Easter Saints'' (CTS, 2015), homilies {{ISBN | 978 178469 026 7}}
*''Words for Feasts and Saints Days'' (CTS, 2015), homilies {{ISBN | 978 178469 061 8}}
*''All Time Belongs to Him'' (Gracewing, 2024), homilies and catecheses {{ISBN | 978 085244 992 9}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:English Benedictines]]
[[Category:Benedictine abbots]]
[[Category:Benedictine abbots]]
[[Category:Post-Reformation Roman Catholic bishops in Scotland]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in Scotland]]
[[Category:English Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Scottish Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Benedictine bishops]]
[[Category:Benedictine bishops]]
[[Category:English religious writers]]
[[Category:English religious writers]]
[[Category:English Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century Christian abbots]]

Latest revision as of 20:32, 1 December 2024


Hugh Gilbert

Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop Gilbert in 2023
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
DioceseAberdeen
Appointed4 June 2011
Installed15 August 2011
PredecessorPeter Moran
Previous post(s)Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey (1992–2011)
Orders
Ordination29 June 1982
by Mario Conti
Consecration15 August 2011
by Keith Cardinal O'Brien
Personal details
Born
Edward Nicholas Gilbert

(1952-03-15) 15 March 1952 (age 72)
Emsworth, Hampshire, England
DenominationRoman Catholic
Alma materKing's College London
MottoOmnia in Ipso constant
"All things hold together in Him"

Hugh Gilbert OSB (born 15 March 1952) is an English Catholic Benedictine monk who currently serves as the Bishop of Aberdeen. He previously served as the Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, of which he is a member, also in Scotland.

Life

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

On 15 March 1952, he was born Edward Nicholas Gilbert in Emsworth, Hampshire, to an Anglican family. He was educated at the private St Paul's School in London. At the age of 18, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church on Christmas Eve of 1970. He studied history at King's College London and graduated in 1974 with a first class honours degree in History.[1]

Monastic life

[edit]

Gilbert was received into the novitiate of Pluscarden Abbey in Moray, Scotland, in March 1975, at which time he was given the religious name Hugh. He made his temporary profession of monastic vows on 10 March of the following year and was then sent to the former Fort Augustus Abbey, located on the shores of Loch Ness, for studies and preparation for the priesthood. He made his solemn profession of vows on 10 March 1979 and was ordained a priest in 1982 on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June) by Mario Conti, then the Bishop of Aberdeen.[1]

Dom Alfred Spencer OSB, the first abbot in the history of the monastery,[2] subsequently appointed Gilbert to various duties in the community: sub-prior in 1984, novice master in 1985, and prior in 1990. Gilbert was elected by the monastic community to succeed Spencer as abbot on 29 October 1992. He received the abbatial blessing from Conti on 8 December, at which time he formally took office.[1] He was a member of the Council of the Union of Monastic Superiors from 1993 to 1997 and of the Abbot Visitor's Council since 1995. During his time as abbot, the community grew to 27 monks.

Bishop

[edit]
Gilbert meeting with First Minister Humza Yousaf in 2023

Gilbert was appointed the Bishop of Aberdeen by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 June 2011.[3] He was consecrated for this office at the Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Assumption in Aberdeen by Keith Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, on the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) 2011.[4] He chose as his episcopal motto Omnia in Ipso constant (All things hold together in Him), which is a verse from the Letter to the Colossians (1:17).[5]

Same-sex marriage

[edit]

In August 2012, Gilbert argued, using both sarcasm and the tactic of reductio ad absurdum, in the Scottish same-sex marriage debate that if the Scottish Government truly believed in marriage equality, the State would also legalize incest and polygamy.[6][7]

Author

[edit]

Gilbert has written a number of journal articles and books on spirituality. His books are:

  • Unfolding the Mystery (Gracewing, 2007), a collection of homilies and conferences on the liturgical year ISBN 978 085244 093 3
  • Living the Mystery (Gracewing, 2008), reflections on aspects of the Christian life[1] ISBN 978 085244 692 8
  • The Tale of Quisquis: Reading the Rule of St Benedict as Story (Gracewing, 2014), conferences on the rule of St Benedict ISBN 978 085244 754 3
  • Words for the Advent and Christmas Season (CTS, 2014), homilies for Advent and Christmastide ISBN 978 178469 007 6
  • Words for the Lent and Easter Saints (CTS, 2015), homilies ISBN 978 178469 026 7
  • Words for Feasts and Saints Days (CTS, 2015), homilies ISBN 978 178469 061 8
  • All Time Belongs to Him (Gracewing, 2024), homilies and catecheses ISBN 978 085244 992 9

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Abbot of Pluscarden appointed Bishop of Aberdeen". Independent Catholic News. UK. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Timeline". Pluscarden Abbey. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Rinuncia Del Vescovo Di Aberdeen (Scozia) E Nomina Del Successore" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2013.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Bishop Hugh (Edward) Gilbert, O.S.B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Rt Rev. Hugh Gilbert OSB". Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland.
  6. ^ "Catholic Bishop: Government should make incest legal if it really believes in equality". Pink News. UK. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  7. ^ Reynolds, Rory (5 August 2012). "Same-sex marriage: Anger over bishop's bigamy and incest jibe". The Scotsman. UK. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Aberdeen
2011–present
Incumbent