Father Brian Gowans

Father Brian Gowans, Parish Priest of St. Joseph's, Kelty and Head of the Scottish Prison Service Chaplaincy Service has been chosen as the President of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC). 

Cardinal O'Brien quoted in the SCO* said "On behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland I offer my most sincere congratulations to Fr. Brian on his very pretigious appointment."  He went on to say "Fr. Gowans is a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh so I am especially proud of the fact that his experience and work in the field of prison chaplaincy has been recognised by his colleagues throughout the world."  Father Brian felt very proud to be elected to this post by a consensus of his peers.  At the international Congress in Cameroon (Sept) Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace paid tribute to the work of the ICCPPC quoting Matthew 25:36 "I was in prison and you visited me" he reiterated the important mission of the church to take Christ's message within the walls of prisons.

*Scottish Catholic Observer - Friday 18th November 2011

**Photograph courtesy of Scottish Catholic Observer