TRIBUTES have been paid to the Archbishop of Glasgow who has died at the age of 70.
Nicola Sturgeon and Celtic FC were among those to share messages of support for the family of Philip Tartaglia, who passed away in his home this morning.
He had been self-isolating after a positive Covid test but the cause of his death is not yet clear.
The Glasgow man had served in the role since 2012, having succeeded Mario Conti to the most senior Catholic position in Scotland.
Philip Tartaglia: Archbishop of Glasgow dies suddenly at home, aged 70
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said during today's First Minister's Questions: "I want to put on record my deep saddness at this news. I am sure that is shared by everybody across this chamber.
"I want to send my deepest condolences to his loved ones and everyone in his community."
Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear news of passing of Archbishop Tartaglia.
"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."
Football club Celtic also paid 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.
"Everyone at Celtic offers their sincere condolences to Philip's family and Scotland's Catholic community at this sad time."
Born in Glasgow in 1951, 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, Archbishop Tartaglia held positions in Bearsden, Dumbarton, and Duntocher, before he became bishop of Paisley in 2005. In 2012, he was appointed archbishop of Glasgow.
Tartaglia replaced Mario Conti as the 40th successor to St Mungo. He famously led the funeral service for Celtic legend Billy McNeill and tributes to those who lost their lives in the Clutha crash.
A statement from the Glasgow archdiocese read this afternoon: "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.
Deeply saddened to hear news of passing of Archbishop Tartaglia. 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. https://t.co/uHL9XEGYcF
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) January 13, 2021
"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."
The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learned today on the Feast of St. Kentigern (Mungo) of the death of our brother bishop and friend Philip Tartaglia.
"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.
"He was a gentle, caring and warm-hearted pastor who combined compassion with a piercing intellect.
"His contribution to the work of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland over the past sixteen years was significant and we will miss his wisdom, wit and robust Catholic spirit very much.
"On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, we commend his soul into the hands of God and pray that he may enjoy eternal rest."
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