John MacWilliam

John Gordon MacWilliam, M. Afr. (born 20 November 1948) is a British Roman Catholic bishop and former soldier. From 2017 to 2025, he was the Bishop of Laghouat in Algeria. From 1968 to 1984, he was an officer of the Queen's Regiment in the British Army. After leaving the military, he joined the White Fathers, making his vows in 1991 and being ordained priest in 1992. After studying in London and in Rome, he ministered in Algeria and in Tunisia. In 2015, he was appointed Superior Provincial of the White Fathers for North Africa.

Early life and education MacWilliam was born on 20 November 1948 in Wimbledon, London, England. He was educated at a Catholic school (Worth School) On 20 December 1968, he was commissioned into the Queen's Regiment, British Army, as a second lieutenant. and to captain on 20 December 1974.

Having attended the Staff College, Camberley, he was promoted to major on 30 September 1981. He retired from the British Army on 21 August 1984. He had seen active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles,

Ecclesiastical career Having left the British Army, MacWilliam joined the Missionaries of Africa, a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life, who are also known as the White Fathers. He was ordained as a deacon in December 1991 and as a priest on 4 July 1992.

Episcopal ministry On 16 March 2017, it was announced by the Holy See, that MacWilliam would be the next Bishop of Laghouat in succession to Claude Rault.