The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church has paid tribute to the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, former Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway, who has died after a recent illness.

Bishop Gregor died peacefully on Friday, 21 November, at the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Bellahouston, in the company of his sister Morag and friend Liz.

“I am greatly saddened by the death of Bishop Gregor, who loved this Church,” said the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

“He loved the Church and he also unfailingly loved the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway. His love of the people, the clergy and the churches of the diocese kept him going when ill health began to show, and the reciprocal love of the diocese for him was clear in the way they cared for him.

“As a member of the College of Bishops, Bishop Gregor was always keen the explore the theology of the situations we were addressing. There were also memorable times when he made us all laugh with his observations.

“My lasting memory of Bishop Gregor will be St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow as I watched him remove his regalia, leaving his cope abandoned in the episcopal throne and walking to sit with the clergy in the front row of the nave.

“It was his way of leaving behind the ministry of diocesan bishop, which he loved, to be back alongside those he had served and loved.”

The Rt Rev Dr Nicholas Bundock, the current Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway said: “My friendship with Bishop Gregor was short but it was real. I can see why so many will be touched and saddened by his death and I’m so honoured that our paths crossed, even for such a brief time. As he goes to join that Great Cloud of Witnesses, his legacy lives on here in Glasgow and Galloway.”

Bishop Gregor was consecrated as the 14th bishop of the United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway in April 2010, serving until his retirement in 11 October 2018. Latterly, he served as assistant priest at St Bride’s, Kelvinside.

His funeral service will be held at St Ninian’s, Pollokshields with further details communicated in due course.

Almighty God,
we give you thanks for the life and ministry of Bishop Gregor,
for his service in this diocese,
and for all in whom he awakened faith, hope and love.
Receive him into your everlasting arms,
comfort all who grieve
and grant us grace to follow in the way of Christ,
in whose name we pray.

Amen.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.