THE Catholic Church in Scotland has been dealt a major blow after one of the country’s leading clerics suffered a heart attack.

Bishop William Nolan, who had a key role in dealing with a number of high-profile recent scandals, was rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pains at his home in Ayr, with the church confirming he was being treated for a heart attack.

Bishop Nolan, who is head of the Diocese of Galloway, was fitted with a stent at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, according to local sources, and has been transferred to Wishaw General, close to where it is understood he has immediate family.

Part of the church’s ‘new broom’ over the past few years, Bishop Nolan had previously been parish priest in East Kilbride for 20 years but was thrust into the public eye over his role as troubleshooter in the case of suspended Lanarkshire cleric Matthew Despard.

Since being appointed to Galloway, he has had to deal with the fall-out from the investigation into and subsequent jailing of Kilwinning’s Father Graeme Bell, who stole almost £100,000 in parish funds to feed his gambling problem from St Mary’s Church in Saltcoats.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Galloway said: “After feeling unwell at home on Friday 12 August 2016 and calling for paramedic assistance, Bishop Bill Nolan was transferred by ambulance to Hairmyres Hospital.

“It appears that he suffered a heart attack, his condition is stable and he remained under observation over the weekend. He has now been transferred to Wishaw General Hospital.”

It is believed that Bishop Nolan has since been released from hospital.