Philip Tartaglia: Tributes pour in for Archbishop of Glasgow after death aged 70

Philip Tartaglia passed away in his home at the age of 70 shortly after testing positive for Covid-19. 

The Catholic Church, however, said it was too early to determine the cause of his death.

Philip Tartaglia: Archbishop of Glasgow dies suddenly at home, aged 70

A statement from the Archdiocese of Glasgow 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.” 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those to pay tribute, writing: “Archbishop Tartaglia was a fine man who was much loved within the Catholic community and beyond. 

The funeral of three members of the same family who died in the Glasgow bin lorry crash takes place in Dumbarton..The Requiem Funeral mass for Erin McQuade (18), Jack (68) and Lorraine Sweeney (69) takes place at St Patrick's RC Church in Dumbarton...The Private service was led by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the Archbishop of Glasgow at St Partick's Church Dumbarton

“I always valued my interactions with him and he will be greatly missed.” 

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken added: “Archbishop Tartaglia was a Glaswegian. He was born and grew up in the East End of our city, he knew its people and the challenges faced by ordinary citizens, regardless of their faith or beliefs.

“He brought attention to issues, from the plight of asylum seekers to nuclear weapons at Faslane, and kept the need for social justice firmly in the public consciousness. He was also unafraid to use his position to challenge deprivation, austerity and the ill-effects of welfare reform when he believed it was his duty to call them out.

“That keen social conscience, compassion and the leadership he offered to his congregation during turbulent times will be a loss both to them and to the city as a whole.”

Born in Glasgow on January 11, 1951, he was the eldest son of parents Guido and Annita.

He went to school at St Thomas’ Primary, Riddrie, and then St. Mungo’s Academy.

Following studies in Aberdeen and Rome, he was ordained in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Dennistoun, on 30 June 1975.

Throughout his career, Father Tartaglia held positions in Bearsden, Dumbarton, and Duntocher, before he became Bishop of Paisley in 2005. In 2012, he was appointed Archbishop of Glasgow. 

He took possession of the See of St Mungo in St Andrew’s Cathedral in September of that year. 

During his time in Scotland’s second most senior Catholic role, he famously led the funeral service to Billy McNeill and tributes to the Clutha victims. 

He was also a leading opponent of proposals to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland and criticised ministers over anti-bigotry legislation.

McNeill’s club Celtic, whom Father Tartaglia supported, shared their own tribute, writing: “We are saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia who was a huge supporter of the club and regularly attended matches at Celtic Park.

I’m deeply saddened to hear that Archbishop Philip Tartaglia has died. I pray that God comforts his family, friends and all who mourn him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. https://t.co/nWXDPAZuXe

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) January 13, 2021

“Everyone at Celtic offers their sincere condolences to Philip’s family and Scotland’s Catholic community at this sad time.”

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, said: “His loss to his family, his clergy and the people of the Archdiocese of Glasgow will be immeasurable but for the entire Church in Scotland this is a day of immense loss and sadness.”