Our Priest
Biography of Rev Father Colin Morrison Davies
Early Life and Conversion
Rev Father Colin Morrison Davies was born and raised in the serene village of Caol, near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Originally a member of the Church of Scotland, Colin experienced a significant spiritual transformation in 1991 when he converted to Roman Catholicism. This pivotal change marked the beginning of his profound spiritual journey.
Education and Calling
Following his conversion, Father Davies moved to Aberdeen to train as a nurse. He completed his nursing studies successfully, but after a few years of practising, he began to feel a profound sense of calling to a different vocation. Regular attendance at Mass and discussions with his parish priest led him to consider the priesthood—an idea that initially seemed “ridiculous” to him. However, as these feelings persisted, he decided to pursue this calling more seriously.
He applied to the seminary and was accepted into Scotus College in Glasgow by Bishop Mario Conti. His seminary education began on the day of the 9/11 attacks in America, marking a sombre start to a rigorous six-year journey of academic study and self-discovery. After completing his theological education, he was ordained as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in July 2007 by Bishop Peter Moran at St Mary’s Cathedral in Aberdeen.
Early Ministry and Service
Following his ordination, Father Davies went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes and afterwards was assigned as an Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Inverness. His initial years in ministry were dedicated to serving his parishioners and honing his pastoral skills.
Service in Shetland
In August 2008, Father Davies embraced a new calling and began serving at St Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church in Shetland. His tenure in Shetland was marked by a deep commitment to the island community, where he built strong connections and provided steadfast spiritual guidance.
Ministry in Orkney and Thurso
In November 2021, Father Davies took on the challenging role of serving Our Lady & St Joseph’s Parish in Orkney and The Parish of St Anne & St Joachim in Thurso. Orkney, known for its scattered island communities, does not have a permanent parish priest, making Father Davies’ work particularly demanding. He tirelessly serves the dispersed communities, including the islands of South Ronaldsay and Sanday, navigating significant logistical challenges to meet the spiritual needs of his parishioners.
Personal Reflections
Reflecting on his journey, Father Davies shares, “A few years after qualifying as a nurse, I started getting feelings I was supposed to be doing something else with my life.” Despite initial doubts, his steadfast faith and commitment led him to the priesthood—a path he now sees as his true calling.
“Living in cities was not really up my street. I had 11 years in Aberdeen where I rarely went near the city centre unless I had to,” he notes, underscoring his preference for serving in smaller, close-knit communities.
Legacy and Impact
Now 61 years old, Father Colin Morrison Davies’ ministry is characterised by unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience. His work in Orkney and Thurso, despite being exhausting and often demanding, is deeply appreciated by his parishioners. His journey from a nurse in Aberdeen to a devoted priest in the Scottish Isles is a testament to his faith and commitment to serving others.
Father Davies continues to inspire those around him, embodying the values of the Roman Catholic Church and providing spiritual guidance to the communities he serves. His life and work stand as a beacon of faith, resilience, and service in the modern world.
Parish Priests of Kirkwall
Below is a list of the Parish Priests we have been able to trace. Thank you specifically to Alison Gray for her book which helped fill in many blanks.
- Capron AM 1860-75 (ord. 1837)
under Right Rev. Bishop James Kyle D.D. of the Northern District, Bishop of Germanicia, and Vicar Apostolic; born 22 September 1788; ordained 21st March 1812 ; consecrated 28th September 1828. - Ch. Th. Verstraeten AM 1860-68
- Mann AM ~1877-1881 (ord. 1876)
- Alex. Bissett AM 1882-89
- H. Van Wtberghe 1869
- James Forbes Leith 1892
- James Henderson AM 1894-96
- James Slorach AM 1894-96
- David MacDonald 1897-1913
under S. Conran, Bishop of Orkney - James G. Bonnyman 1914
- Patrick Keenan 1915-19
- Joseph E. Rockcliffe 1918-19
- Bruno Murphy 1920-26 (ord. 1900)
- William Ross 1927
- Michael Murphy 1927
- Alexander Stuart 1928-31
- Alexander S. McWilliam AM 1929 (ord. 1920)
- Alexander D. Sullivan AM 1931-37 (Church closed in October 1937)
- Wilfrid Davis 1938-46
- G. Walker
- W.W. McLaughlin 1940
- Gordon 1941
- William Hart 1941
- Colm MacSweeney 1942
- D. Johnston 1942-43
- J. Rigby 1942-43
- J.J. Beaven 1942
- Hyatt 1943
- E. Crowley 1943
- McShane (Lerwick) 1943-1944
- L. Russell 1943
- Aidan McDuffy 1943
- J. Hiscoe 1943
- C. Banafry 1943
- Gioachino Giacobazzi (known as Padre Giacomo) 1943
…of the Order of the Little Brothers was the priest of the prisoners of war on Lamb Holm during World War II. He arrived in Lamb Holm on 30 September 1943 and oversaw the construction of the Italian Chapel. - Dunstan Dobbin (Lyness) 1944
- J. Davey 1944
- Michael Ware 1944
- J. Kerrigan 1945
- Charles Collins PP 1946-1952 (ord. 1937)
- Alexander M.G. Smith 1953-56 (ord. 1947)
- Robert A. MacDonald PP 1956-58
- J. Ryland Whittaker 1958
…started a preservation committee for the Italian Chapel. - Michael H. Spencer, SJ. 1958
- Francis Cairns SJ. 1958-63 (ord. 1950)
- Herbert Bamber PP 1963-81
…died March 1992 aged 85, with Rev Ron Ferguson holding a memorial service in St Magnus Cathedral for him, the first time this has happened for a Catholic since the Reformation. - Michael Spenser PP 1982-98
- Kenneth Nugent PP 1998-2003
- Deacon Rev. John Windle 2003
- John Allen Kirkwall 2006
- Ronald (Ronnie) Walls 2006-2008
…Formerly parish Priest in Caithness, Banchory and at Woodside, Aberdeen, as well as writer and broadcaster. Ronald Walls was born in Edinburgh in 1920. He began adult life as a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. In 1948, with his wife and three sons, he was received into the Catholic Church. In a road accident in 1974, he was badly injured and his wife Helen was killed. In 1977 he was ordained priest by Bishop Mario Conti. His inspiring autobiography, Love Strong as Death, and two volumes of daily meditations on the Gospel readings at Mass, Stairway to the Upper Room, are published by Gracewing.
His inspiring autobiography, Love Strong as Death, and two volumes of daily meditations on the Gospel readings at Mass, Stairway to the Upper Room, are published by Gracewing.
Died on 2 January 2010 aged 90.
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/15416
https://nunraw.blogspot.com/2010/01/fr-ronald-walls-kirkwall.html
http://www.ronniewalls.org/ - Peter Kelly 2013-2018
- Bala Raj 2018
- Colin Morrison Davies 2018-present
