Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia suddenly dies at his home in Glasgow at the age of 70.
By Vatican News staff reporter
The Archdiocese of Glasgow announced the death of its archbishop, Philip Tartaglia.
In a statement on Wednesday, the archdiocese said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the death of our archbishop.”
Archbishop Tartaglia had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after Christmas and was isolating himself at home. The cause of death is not yet clear.
The archbishop, who was 70, has served as leader of Scotland’s largest Catholic community since 2012.
The statement adds that the Apostolic Nuncio in Britain, Bishop Claudio Gugerotti, was informed.
Tributes
Leading the tributes to the late archbishop was Cardinal Vincent Nichols, archbishop of Westminster, who expressed his sadness and offered prayers.
“I learned with great sadness about the sudden death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia. The whole of Scotland will be saddened and shocked by his death, feelings shared across England and Wales as well. He and his family participate a lot in our prayers.
“I have often enjoyed the warm hospitality of Archbishop Tartaglia and admired his pastoral sense and keen mind. Your leadership will be sorely missed.
“May your soul, and the souls of all the departed believers, rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Meanwhile, the Bishops of Scotland described the Archbishop as a “kind, caring and warm pastor”.
Life and ministry
Philip Tartaglia was born in Glasgow on January 11, 1951. He is the eldest son of Guido and Annita Tartaglia and had three brothers and five sisters. After his primary school in St. Thomas, Riddrie, he started his secondary education at St. Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow, before moving to the national junior seminary at St. Vincent’s College, Langbank, and later, St. Mary’s College , Blairs, Aberdeen. His ecclesiastical studies were completed at the Pontifical Scots College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
He was ordained a priest by the then archbishop Thomas Winning at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Dennistoun, on June 30, 1975. He then returned to Rome to study for his Doctorate in Sacred Theology.
Upon completing his doctorate in 1980, he was appointed assistant priest at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardonald, while at the same time becoming a visiting professor at St. Peter’s College, Newlands, Glasgow.
A year later, he was appointed professor at St. Peter’s College, Newlands, becoming Director of Studies in 1983. When Chesters College in Bearsden opened in 1985, he was appointed vice-chancellor. In 1987 he was appointed Rector.
He served as Rector until 1993, when he was appointed to St. Patrick’s, Dumbarton, as Assistant Father before being appointed Parish Priest of St. Mary’s, Duntocher in 1995. In 2004, the Episcopal Conference appointed him Rector of the Pontifical Scottish College, Rome.
On September 13, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Paisley. On 20 November 2005, he was ordained a bishop in St Mirin’s Cathedral by Archbishop Mario Conti, whom he succeeded as Archbishop of Glasgow.
On July 24, 2012, Dom Tartaglia was appointed Archbishop of Glasgow and was installed in St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow on Saturday, September 8, 2012, feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He died on January 13, 2021, the feast of Saint Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow.