Fr Stephen was appointed as Co-ordinator of Spiritual and Pastoral Formation in October 2015, and took up post in January 2016.
Previously, he was parish priest of St Bernadette's, Motherwell, 2009-2015, and assistant priest at St Bernadette's 2005-2009.
During this time he was Director of the Diocese of Motherwell Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Newmains 2013-2015, and Religious Education Adviser (Primary) for the Diocese of Motherwell 2009-2013. In conjunction with this latter role, he was a member of the RE Develoment Group of the Scottish Catholic Education Commission (2009-2011), which helped to develop the This is Our Faith syllabus for Catholic schools.
He has been a high school chaplain to Cardinal Newman High School, Bellshill (1999-2003) and Taylor High School, New Stevenston (2004-2009), as well as to his local primary schools of St Bride's, Bothwell, St Mary's Hamilton, and St Bernadette's, Motherwell.
He was a member of the teaching staff at Sctus College Bearsden (2000-2009), teaching courses in Christology, Ecclesiology, Theological Anthropology and Sacraments of Initiation.
He was also youth chaplain to the Diocese of Motherwell (1999-2002), and before his ordination Scout chaplain (Assistente ecclesiastico) to Roma 24 Scout group, Rome 1992-1997.
He studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome (1990-1997) and Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (1990-1997), gaining a Licence in Sacred Theology Summa Cum Laude.
He has for many years been involved with HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust Easter Lourdes pilgrimage, and is currently group chaplain to Group 89 (2010-2019), and is Scottish Regional Chaplain. He also took 2 student music groups to Lourdes to support HCPT - Hosanna House groups in summer 2016.
He is an active member of the charity Classrooms for Malawi, and travelled twice to Malawi in 2012 and 2013 with the charity. He was also a founding memeber of the St Bernadette's Malawi Partnership.
He is fluent in Italian, Spanish and French.
His hobies include Munro bagging, golf, playing guitar and travel.