Archbishop dies with Covid
Tributes have been paid to Philip Tartaglia, Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow since 2012, who died yesterday aged 70 after being diagnosed with Covid-19 before Christmas.
Tributes have been paid to the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia, who died yesterday after contracting Covid-19.
The 70-year-old had served as archbishop since 2012 and was one of the most senior figures in the Catholic Church in Scotland.
He tested positive for coronavirus shortly after Christmas and was self-isolating at home. The Catholic Church in Scotland said the cause of death is not yet clear.
In a statement, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said the archbishop was a “gentle and caring pastor who combined compassion with a piercing intellect”.
He said :" His loss to his family, his clergy and the people of the Arch diocese of Glasgow w ill be immeasurable but for the entire Church in Scotland this is a day of immense loss and sadness.
"His contribution to the work of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland over the past 16 years was significant and we will miss his wisdom and wit very much ."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also among those paying tribute to the archbishop.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, she said: "It has just been drawn to my attention that the Archbishop of Glasgow, Archbishop Tartaglia, has passed away this morning.
"I want to put on record my deep sadness at this news.
"I' m sure that is sadness shared by everybody across this chamber - and to send my deepest condolences to his loved ones and of course everybody in his community."
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said he was "deeply saddened" at the news.
He wrote on Twitter: "Have many fond memories of conversations we shared over years.
"He was a regular visitor to Catholic Schools in my constituency, he spent time engaging with pupils & staff. Prayers with our Catholic community ."
Celtic F Cs aid the archbishop was a" huge supporter of the club", writing on Twitter that he regularly attended matches.
"Everyone at Celtic offers their sincere condolences to Philip' s family and Scotland' s Catholic community at this sad time," it added.
He died on 13 January, the Feast of St Mun go-the patron saint of Glasgow.