We, the committee of UVS on behalf of our members, would like to express our deep sadness that the Marian Franciscans are being made to leave Scotland. They were an incredible force for the traditional Catholic faith in Dundee, building on the parish of the Sacred Heart TLM community established by Bishop Robson so that it doubled if not tripled in size in the four years in which the Friars and Sisters were in residence here. The members of this parish are particularly saddened by this latest development as they had been assured that the Friars and Sisters would be allowed to stay at least until the end of October 2026.
Bishop Andrew Mackenzie has confirmed that going forward he will provide a diocesan priest to offer the Traditional Latin Mass on a Sunday afternoon at Lawside Convent from Sunday 21st June, 2026, as can be seen in the statement by the Diocese of Dunkeld on their website https://www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/statement-from-the-diocese-of-dunkeld/
We would refer members to the Marian Franciscans’ statement on their dissolution in their press release and q&a. We would also refer members to the following article on the Catholic Unscripted blog https://www.catholicunscripted.com/p/the-end-of-the-marian-franciscans and the statement by Dr Joseph Shaw of the LMS.
We are deeply grateful to the Marian Franciscans for their work for the salvation of souls in Scotland in particular through the provision of the traditional sacraments and the promotion of Marian devotion. Many of us know personally at least one person brought to the faith or brought back to the faith through their ministry and prayers. They were an oasis in the desert and will be sorely missed.
Joseph Thurrott
Chairman
Una Voce Scotland
