Bishop Hay of Edinburg

Bishop George Hay (1729–1811) was a Scottish Catholic bishop and theologian renowned for his scholarly contributions to Catholic apologetics during a time of severe persecution against Catholics in Scotland. Born into a Protestant family in Edinburgh, he converted to Catholicism in 1749 after being deeply impressed by the faith of a Catholic friend during an illness.

Ordained a priest in 1758, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the Catholic Church in Scotland, eventually becoming the Vicar Apostolic of the Lowland District in 1778. Despite limited resources, he focused on catechesis and wrote extensively to defend and explain the Catholic faith, producing works like The Sincere Christian and The Devout Christian, which remain classics of Catholic spiritual literature.

Bishop Hay’s leadership and writings played a crucial role in preserving the faith among Scottish Catholics during a time of great adversity, and his legacy as a scholar and pastor continues to be revered.