Monsignor Peter Magee PhB STL JCD has been appointed as interim Officialis (Chief Official) of the Scottish National Tribunal with effect from Monday 20 April 2009. He will replace Fr.James O'Kane who is returning to the diocese of Motherwell after more than four years as President of the Tribunal.

Mgr Magee served for 16 years in the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See, followed by two years in the Archdiocese of Washington where he taught at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and did pastoral work in two Washington parishes. He returned to his home Diocese of Galloway at the end of 2006. He is currently parish priest of St. Ninian's in Newton Stewart, Sacred Heart, Wigtown and St. Martin’s & St. Ninian’s, Whithorn.

Commenting on the move, Mgr Magee said; "I am honoured to be appointed as interim Officialis to the Tribunal and look forward to meeting the staff in the near future. I have a lot to learn."

The Scottish National Tribunal has responsibility for hearing and judging all canonical cases in Scotland including marriage annulments and is based in Glasgow.

ENDS

Peter Kearney
Director
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