Roger Gordon Explained

Roger Gordon was a 16th-century Scottish cleric who briefly served as Bishop of Galloway.

Life

He was Dean of Dunblane Cathedral from at least 13 April 1554, a position he may have retained for the remainder of his life.[1]

In 1572 he was minister of Whithorn.[2] He was elected to the bishopric of Galloway on the death of Alexander Gordon in 1575.[3] He got Crown confirmation to the bishopric with mandate for consecration on 17 September 1578.[3]

However, John Gordon had been chosen as successor by Alexander in 1568, 7 years before the latter's death, and John Gordon seems to have prevented Roger from taking up the position of Bishop of Galloway in practice.[4] Roger was called "pretended bishop" on 27 June 1579.[3] Roger never seems to have taken possession of the see.[3]

In 1580 he became minister of Kirkmaiden.

Although Watt says he "died before 12 May 1587"[5] Scott says he returned to Whithorn in 1599.[6]

References

Notes and References

  1. Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 82.
  2. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; vol. 2; by Hew Scott
  3. Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 133.
  4. Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, pp. 132-3.
  5. Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, pp. 82, 133.
  6. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; vol. 2; by Hew Scott