A Catholic priest in Scotland has died just a couple weeks before was going to be promoted to a bishop.

Bishop Frank Dougan, Bishop of Galloway has announced that Fr Martin Chambers, a priest in the Diocese of Galloway who was going to be ordained as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld on 27th April, passed away at the age of 59.

Bishop Frank said on Wednesday: “It was with a heavy heart and the deepest sadness that I learned today of the death of Fr Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

“I know his family and the people of Galloway diocese who knew him and loved him will be deeply shocked and dismayed at his untimely death.

“Together we give thanks for the selfless service he gave to our diocese; we recognise the enormous contribution he made to support some of the poorest communities in Ecuador and we pray for the repose of his soul.

“To know Martin was to know a man of love, enthusiasm, humour and a deep faith which enlivened all that he did.”

Pope Francis nominated Fr Martin on 2nd February. He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Galloway in 1989 and was serving as parish priest at Our Lady of the Assumption & St Meddan’s, Troon.

He established the Martin Chamber Ecuador Trust in 2006 to support those who lives in the poorest conditions in Ecuador. He also worked on the missions in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil from 2004-2009.

Bishop Dougan added: “On behalf of the Dioses of Galloway I offer our deepest condolences and the promise of our prayers to Martin’s family as they come to terms with his loss, our prayers too are with the people of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who were preparing to welcome him as their bishop in two weeks’ time on 27 April. We give thanks to God for the great service of a selfless priest and pray for his eternal rest.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.