TRIBUTES LEFT AT CATHEDRAL AFTER DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP
FLORAL tributes have been left at St Andrew’s Cathedral for the Archbishop of Glasgow after he passed away at the age of 70.
Philip Tartaglia was found dead in his home on Wednesday morning, following a period of self-isolation after a positive Covid test.
He had served in the role since 2012, having succeeded Mario Conti to one of the most senior Catholic position in Scotland.
A statement from the Glasgow archdiocese read: “The Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, has died suddenly at his home in Glasgow. He was 70 years old.
“Archbishop Tartaglia, who had served as archbishop of Glasgow since 2012, had tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after Christmas and was self-isolating at home. The cause of death is not yet clear.
“The Archbishop had served as leader of Scotland’s largest Catholic community since 2012.
“The Pope’s Ambassador to Great Britain, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, has been informed.
“It will be for Pope Francis to appoint a new Archbishop to succeed Archbishop Tartaglia, but until then the archdiocese will be overseen by an administrator.”
Tributes have since poured in for the Archbishop, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon describing him as a “fine man”. She wrote: “Archbishop Tartaglia was a fine man who was much loved within the Catholic community and beyond.
“I always valued my interactions with him and he will be greatly missed.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic church has appointed a caretaker to run its affairs following the sudden death of the Archbishop Tartaglia.
Monsignor Hugh Bradley, a parish priest in the South Side, will assume the role of administrator of the city’s archdiocese until a permanent replacement for Philip Tartaglia is found.
Mgr Bradley said: “We are all still stunned and sorrowing following the sudden death of Archbishop Philip.
“We will have to prepare his funeral in the difficult circumstances of the current health emergency and in conjunction with his family.
“We hold him and them in affection and prayer at this difficult time.”