The resignation of the Bishop of Dunkeld, the Rt Rev Vincent Logan, has been accepted by Pope Benedict XVI.The communication from the Vatican allows Bishop Logan — who is 71 and submitted his request to resign on health grounds in November 2010 — to fomally step down.
His successor has not yet been chosen and Monsignor Basil O'Sullivan, parish priest of Holy Family Church, Dunblane, has been appointed administrator to run the diocese until the new bishop is named.
When he was elected Bishop of Dunkeld in 1981, Bishop Logan was only 39 and, at that time, one of the youngest bishops in the world.
He has led the diocese for the last 31 years and is stepping down four years early because of his health problems.
Bishop Logan said: ''It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve the priests, religious briothers and sisters and people of Dunkeld over the last 31 years. I feel sure everyone will offer my successor the same commitment and support I have enjoyed, and I wish him, whoever he is, my prayers and good wishes.''