AT MASSES across Scotland yesterday a statement was read asking congregations to reserve judgment on the missing Bishop of Argyll and the Western Isles, Dr Roderick Wright, and instead remember him in their prayers.
In Oban, where Dr Wright has lived for the past six years but has not been seen since last Monday, rumours are escalating about the reason for his disappearance. In some quarters the speculation is linking him with a local woman, Ms Kathleen MacPhee, who is believed to have been counselled by the bishop before her divorce. Ms MacPhee is understood to have left her home in Inverlochy, near Fort William, last week.
In as much as the two disappearances may be linked, the Catholic Church in Scotland has said it cannot comment without "any real information". But a spokesman, Father Tom Connelly, said he is becoming "really concerned" that there may be some substance to the rumours.
That Bishop Wright may have left his post and be having a relationship with a divorced woman were just rumours, Father Connelly said, but "there seems to be such a lot of talk about it that we're very concerned that it might be true."
Another theory is that Bishop Wright decided to take a holiday in Ireland. His deputy, Vicar General Roddy Macdonald, said he assumed the bishop was on holiday. A "keen walker and sea fisherman", the bishop had cancelled the holiday to Ireland in August.
But Father Connelly said one explanation for his disappearance may be stress due to his sister's death from cancer earlier this year. "I'm not suggesting that's why he's away but he was under a lot of emotional stress."
Meanwhile, the Scottish church is urging the bishop to make contact. Monsignor Macdonald remains hopeful that the mystery will soon be solved. He said: "I should not be surprised if we hear from him in a few days."
"Dr Wright is due to attend the quarterly meeting of the Bishops Conference of Scotland in Glasgow tomorrow, when a report on how to help the victims of sex abuse by priests will be discussed.
Meanwhile, Mr Hugh Farmer, editor of the weekly Scottish Catholic Observer, said yesterday he was shocked by comments by church spokesmen giving credence to rumours that the bishop's disappearance was linked to a divorcee. It was "dangerous" to comment on speculation, unless the church knew it was true.