Death of popular Eriskay priest 14/7/12
Popular Eriskay priest Fr Calum MacLellan has died aged 86 years.
Father Calum had been in poor health since last year and had been in hospital for the past few weeks. He died in Raigmore Hospital in Inverness early on Saturday morning.
He is survived by his brother Donald and family and by his sisters Morag and Margaret.
The Gaelic-
The Freedom of the Western Isles was later bestowed upon him for his contribution.
The public know him better as a star of the BBC fly-
Dubbed a real-
As a 15-
Despite the best efforts of the customs’ men, the cargo was requisitioned by islanders,
who, rowed a nightly flotilla of small boats in-
In 1995 he was called upon to participate in a special Mass in Australia when Mary
MacKillop, born of a Gaelic-
The popular clergyman, known for his sense of humour, was born to island parents in Glasgow in June 1926. The family returned to Eriskay where he went to school.
He studied at St Mary’s College in Blairs, Aberdeenshire, and the Scots College in Rome and also spent three years of national service in the army.
He spent the whole of his priesthood in parish ministry in the Argyll and the Isles Diocese.
From 1954, he served as curate in Oban Cathedral and later in Dunoon. He went to Daliburgh in the same capacity in 1963 and was shortly appointed priest of the neighbouring parish of St. Mary’s in Bornish.
He was to spend the rest of his priesthood between Barra and the Uists. In 1966 he served at St Barr’s in Northbay, Barra. He also undertook seven years at St. Mary’s in Benbecula and over a decade in Castlebay. In 1991 he returned to home to Eriskay where he retired at St Michael’s ten years later.
Diocese Bishop Joseph Toal said: "His death was somewhat unexpected and a cause of much sorrow to his family, his fellow clergy, and the many people throughout the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, Scotland and beyond who loved and respected him."
He added: "The bare statistics give an indication of Fr Calum’s extensive priestly ministry in the Western Isles, but cannot show the work he did in each parish and the service he offered in local government, for development agencies, in cultural and sporting activities, and especially in promoting Gaelic.
"He loved being involved in everything that was happening, and was a most effective voice in the public bodies on which he served.
"It was a very special honour for him to be made a Freeman of the Western Isles in recognition of his contribution to Comhairle nan Eilean and other public bodies."
Bishop Toal added: "In 2001, having reached the age of 75, Fr Calum retired as Parish Priest, but chose to stay on in his beloved Eriskay.
"Through these last 11 years he offered great support to his fellow priests, by the many supplies he did both in the island and mainland parishes. His spiritual and human contribution was much loved by the people for whom he celebrated Mass and the sacraments through these later years.
"He was never averse to talking about his own experiences, particularly his achievements, but always with a touch of humour and humility.
"He had indeed gained a lot of knowledge and wisdom through his priestly life, and this shone through in the interviews he gave last year for the television series, Island Parish, his contribution to which many may remember.
"We trust Fr Calum is at peace with the Lord – hopefully there is still a room for smokers in heaven! We thank God for his life, his priesthood, and all that he did in service of the community.
"We extend our sympathy to his brother Donald and his family, his sisters Morag and Margaret, his fellow priests, the people of Eriskay, and all his many friends who mourn his passing. May he rest in peace."