It was announced on Thursday, October 16, that Pope Benedict had appointed Monsignor Toal as the new Bishop of Argyll and the Isles to succeed Bishop Ian Murray. It is a wonderful choice and has been greeted with great rejoicing by the diocesan clergy as Monsignor  Toal is a very popular priest and is regarded as a close friend by all his fellow priests. His appointment has been received with equal joy and celebration all over the diocese as he is so well-known to a large number because of the parishes where he served on the mainland and in the Isles, and also in the many parishes he helped out so often when home on holiday to allow priests to have a break.
He was ordained in Oban in 1980 and served in Daliburgh, Ardkenneth, Campbeltown and Benebecula. He was also on the staff of Blairs College, and was spiritual director, and then rector, of the Scots College, Salamanca.
His mother, Mary, can rightly feel very proud that her son will be raised to the high office of Bishop, as can the rest of the family, and his father, Pat, will rejoice with them from his place in heaven.
We offer the Bishop-elect our congratulations and the promise of our prayers that the Holy Spirit may guide him as shepherd of the flock to lead us forward united in love, encourage us to deepen our faith and continue in our commitment to serve God in a world that is becoming ever more secular.