John Toner (bishop)

John Toner (26 April 1923 – 25 March 2000) was a Scottish Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Argyll and the Isles from 1969 to 1993.

Born in Glasgow, Toner was educated at St. Patrick's High School, Dumbarton, and St. Peter's College, Cardross. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1947. He served in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, including positions in Clydebank and Dumbarton, before being appointed Bishop of Argyll and the Isles by Pope Paul VI on 24 April 1969. He was consecrated bishop on 22 June 1969, with Archbishop James Donald Scanlan serving as principal consecrator.

During his episcopate, Toner focused on pastoral care, ecumenism, and Catholic education. He was known for his gentle approach and commitment to social justice within his diocese, which encompassed a geographically challenging and sparsely populated area of western Scotland. He retired on 26 April 1993 and was succeeded by Bishop Roddy Wright. Bishop Toner died in Glasgow on 25 March 2000, shortly before his 77th birthday.