Lost bishop linked to divorcee

Roman Catholics across Scotland will hear a statement read out at Mass this morning acknowledging rumours that the popular bishop of Argyll, Roderick Wright, who has been missing for a week, is with an as yet unnamed woman.

The statement, issued by the bishop's deputy, Vicar General Roddy Macdonald, reads: "We are extremely concerned about Bishop Wright. We are aware of certain rumours concerning his disappearance but feel unable to offer any comment in the absence of any real information. We ask all parishioners to keep the bishop in their prayers."

It emerged yesterday that no one has heard from the Rt Rev Wright, 56, since last Monday when he tried to contact the head of the Church of Scotland, Cardinal Thomas Winning. The Cardinal was not available at the time and the bishop has not been in contact since. He has also failed to keep appointments with church officials this week.

Tom Connelly, press officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: "We are concerned because there are a lot of rumours in the area that he has left his post. The rumours are suggesting that he has a relationship with a woman who is, reputedly, divorced. I stress that these are rumours but, having said that, there seems to be such a lot of talk about it that we're very concerned that it might be true."

Bishop Wright has not been reported missing to the police and so no search has been launched. But Father Connelly said they were anxious to know his whereabouts. "At the moment we don't know what is going on. People in that area want their bishop and are loath to think he has left."

It is not known exactly when Bishop Wright, who lives alone in a house beside St Columba's Catholic Cathedral in Oban, had left town although he has not been seen since the middle of last week. Mgr Macdonald said he presumed until yesterday that the bishop - a keen walker and sea fisherman - had decided to take a holiday in Ireland that he had cancelled in August.

Among Bishop Wright's congregants is Frances Shand-Kydd, the mother of the Princess of Wales, who lives on the Isle of Seil near Oban. "We are all very concerned about him at the moment," she said yesterday. "None of us has any idea where he is. He gave no indication to anyone. I have known Bishop Roddy since he came to our diocese. He has been a kind and good friend to me."

Bishop Wright was appointed bishop of the Highland diocese - described as "small in numbers, very big territorially" - in December 1990. There are up to 12,000 Catholics and just 30 priests, six of whom are retired, in his diocese which runs from Argyll to the Outer Hebrides. "One of the pressures on guys like that is the huge area to cover and the shortage of priests," commented Father Connelly.

He added: "His sister died earlier this year with cancer. He was very upset about that. I'm not suggesting that's why he's away but he was under a lot of emotional stress."

Bishop Wright's next official engagement is on Tuesday when he is due to attend a meeting of the Scottish Hierarchy.