Pope’s congratulations to long-
The Pope has congratulated a Western Isles priest for serving 60 years in the church.
Pope Benedict XVI sent a special message to Canon Angus John Macqueen as his ordination diamond jubilee was marked by a Mass held at the Grotto in Northbay, Barra, on Friday.
Later, in St. Barr’s Hall, there was a social evening with Gaelic singing and traditional music.
The 87-
He attended Blair's College in Aberdeen and theological colleges in Glasgow and Hertfordshire. He was ordained in 1951 and ministered in numerous places including Dunoon, Mallaig, Eriskay, Castlebay, Glencoe, Rothesay and South Uist.
But for the past 20 years or more he‘s settled in Northbay in the north of Barra where he still takes weekly Gaelic Mass at Eoligarry and Northbay.
For over fifty years he has gone on countless pilgrimages to Lourdes.
Looking back over his life he said he felt “sheer happiness. I have enjoyed everywhere I have been.
He said: “I have no thoughts of retiring. Provided God gives me the health to continue, I see no need to retire.”
Canon Macqueen is a great supporter of the Gaelic language and is also a contributor to Gaelic programmes. He grows his own vegetable, fruit and flowers and has adapted the traditional raised lazybed system to grow his favourite potatoes.