Background
William Nolan was born on January 1954 and baptised in Street Patrick’s Church, Craigneuk.
William Nolan was born on January 1954 and baptised in Street Patrick’s Church, Craigneuk.
He attended Cathedral Primary School, Motherwell, Street Patrick’s Primary School, Craigneuk, Street Vincent’s College, Langbank, and, from 1967 to 1971, Street Mary's College, Blairs. Nolan completed his studies for ordination at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, from 1971 to 1978, earning a Licence in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in June 1978.
Nolan was ordained priest for the Diocese of Motherwell on 30 June 1977 in Street Bernadette"s Church, Motherwell. He subsequently held the following pastoral assignments:
Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1978–1980
Assistant Priest, Saint David’s, Plains, 1980–1983
Assistant Priest, Street Bridget’s, Baillieston, 1990–1994
Parish Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, 1994–2014
He served as Vice-Rector of the Scots College in Rome from 1983 to 1990. He was appointed Administrator of Street John Ogilvie parish, Blantyre in November 2013 and Vicar General of the Motherwell Diocese in June 2014.
Nolan"s appointment was announced on 22 November 2014 by Pope Francis to succeed Bishop John Cunningham and he received episcopal consecration on 14 February 2015 from Archbishop Leo Cushley.
The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Mennini and Bishop Emeritus Maurice Taylor served as principal co-consecrators.