Appointments: Tartaglia to lead Glasgow Archdiocese

(Vatican Radio) On Tuesday Pope Benedict XVI appointed 61 year-old Bishop of Paisley, Philip Tartaglia, to head the Archdiocese of Glasgow. Tartaglia takes over the pastoral leadership of one of Scotland’s biggest diocese from Archbishop Mario Conti who has retired on having reached the age-limit.

Commenting on the appointment, the new Archbishop-Elect said: “I am conscious of the historic place of the Archdiocese of Glasgow in the history of Christianity in Scotland and of its importance for the Catholic community in particular. It is a great honour for me to be appointed Archbishop of my native city and diocese.”

Bishop Tartaglia said he had been “very happy and fulfilled” as Bishop of Paisley where he has served since late 2005. He added: “I have loved my diocese. The priests and people of the Diocese of Paisley will always be in my heart. And I would want to serve the Archdiocese of Glasgow with the same affection and devotion.”

The Archbishop-elect said: “I know I can only be a good bishop with help from above, so I ask everyone to pray for me.”

Archbishop Conti said: “I am delighted that the Holy Father has appointed Bishop Philip as my successor. I have known him for more than 30 years and I have the greatest admiration for his gifts of leadership, intelligence, pastoral sensitivity and holiness. The Archdiocese will be in very good hands. I hope to remain of service to the people of the Archdiocese and I will place myself at the service of my successor to assist in whatever way he may wish in the life of the Church in Glasgow.”

Born in Glasgow and raised in Dennistoun, Bishop Tartaglia is the eldest son of Guido and Annita Tartaglia and one of nine children. He was educated at St Mungo's Academy before moving to the national junior seminary at St Vincent's College, Langbank, and, later, St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeen.

He was ordained priest by Archbishop Thomas Winning in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, his local church in Dennistoun, in June 1975. After his priestly ordination he was assistant pastor there for two years and then returned to Rome to complete his studies in 1980 obtaining his doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Returning to his homeland, he was appointed assistant pastor, Director of Studies, Vice Chancellor and then Rector of St. Peter's College in Chester. He has also been a member of several ecumenical commissions. From 1995 to 2004 he was pastor of St. Mary parish in Duntocher. From 2004 to September 2005 he was Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

On September 13, 2005 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Paisley. He was consecrated November 20, 2005 in St Mirin's Cathedral by Archbishop Conti. The co-consecrating bishops were Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke of St Louis, Missouri, USA and Bishop John Mone, Emeritus Bishop of Paisley.

Bishop Tartaglia's motto, taken from the Latin hymn 'O Salutaris Hostia' by St Thomas Aquinas, is Da Robur, Fer Auxilium ('Give strength, bring aid').

According to statistics published in 2003, the Metropolitan See of Glasgow consists of 106 parishes served by 228 priests covering an area of 1,165 square kilometres. It includes the city of Glasgow and extends to the town of Cumbernauld in the east, northwards to Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Milngavie and westwards to Dumbarton, Balloch and Garelochhead. The Catholic population of the diocese is 224,344 (28.8%) out of a total population of 779,490 (2003 figures).