News • Spirituality • Culture • Education • Life OfficialFLOURISH Journal of the Archdiocese of Glasgow Tribute edition Picture by Paul McSherry Remembering our good shepherd 1951 archbishop philip tartaglia 2021 2 FLOURISH FLOURISH 3 Pope and bishops recall a “much loved pastor” ing seminary Rector first in Glasgow and then in Rome. He was always considered Pope’s message to be what the Italians call “episcopabile”, so it was no surprise when he became Pope Francis led the tributes to Archbishop Tartaglia which flowed in Bishop of Paisley and then following his sudden death on January 13. Subsequently the Bishops of a few years later Archbishop of Glasgow. Scotland offered their condolences as they recalled the Archbishop’s life I well remember the Ad and work. Limina visit to Rome in 2018. Philip thoroughly enjoyed our meeting with Pope Francis. And when His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the untimely Philip told the Pope about his time working in a parish death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia and he offers heartfelt condolences have known Philip and how he missed being a Tartaglia since I was 13 parish priest Pope Francis and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to the clergy, religious and lay Iyears old. He was two years responded with such de- ahead of me when I went to light that you thought he faithful of the Archdiocese of Glasgow. With gratitude for the Archbish- Blairs and then I followed might make Philip a Cardi- him on to the Scots College nal there and then! op’s years of steadfast service to the building up of the Church in Scotland in Rome. If only every moment of That means that when I being Archbishop could in obedience to the Gospel, in dedication to the works of the apostolate think of him and picture have been as joyful as that. I him in my mind I don’t vis- felt a great deal of sympathy and in fidelity to the See of Peter, His Holiness willingly commends the ualise the Archbishop with for him at times as he faced his mitre and crozier. It is leading the Church in Scot- soul of this much loved Pastor to the boundless mercy of Christ the Good the younger Philip whom land in the wake of Cardinal I see: conscientious in his O’Brien’s resignation, and as Shepherd. To all who mourn Archbishop Tartaglia’s passing in the sure studies in Rome or play- I saw him deeply pained by ing football with the Col- the scandal of child abuse in hope of the Resurrection, the Holy Father imparts his Apostolic Blessing lege team. You can learn a the church and the suffering lot from someone watching of survivors. His two heart as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord. them play football. Philip attacks were testimony to always brought a sense of the stresses and strains he +CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN calm to the team. When faced as Archbishop. nerves were frayed and the Despite his great learn- play was getting erratic if ing it always struck me that Philip got hold of the ball Philip’s faith was a simple then you felt the game was faith. At its heart was a deep ory briefly of our love for of his pastoral care. Above and as visiting lecturer at St. now under control. and personal relationship the one who has died and all, his priests and people Peter’s Seminary in Glasgow. It was Philip’s consci- with God. That faith sus- helps us raise our eyes to found in him a true Pastor He progressed to Lecturer entiousness for his stud- tained him throughout his the creator of all things, who made himself available and then Director of Stud- ies and his love of theology life. That faith has now tak- who has now called Philip to them at a personal level ies and, when its successor which was going to have a en him to eternal life. May to himself. and they came to know him Chesters College opened more permanent impact on he rest in peace. As the name suggests a as a man with great love for in Bearsden in 1985, he was his life and on that of oth- +WIllIAM NOLAN Christian funeral focuses the Church. appointed Vice-Rector and ers. It led to his doctorate Bishop of Galloway upon Jesus Christ upon Philip was born in Glas- then Rector in 1987. In 1993 in theology, his teaching in his love for us all and gow on 11 January 1951, the he returned to parish life seminary and to his becom- upon the confidence and eldest son of Guido and An- in St. Patrick’s in Dumbar- hope that we place in our nita Tartaglia and sibling ton before being appointed merciful redeemer. of three brothers and five Parish Priest of St. Mary’s, Our God is a God of love sisters. After attending St. Duntocher in 1995. and whether we live or we Thomas’ Primary in Rid- In 2004 he returned to die we belong to Him. t was a great joy for our drie, he took up his second- seminary formation with first got to know the SAINT PATRICK’S was shocked and deeply With confidence there- Diocese of Paisley when ary education at St. Mungo’s his appointment as Rector Archbishop after he had saddened to learn of fore we commend Philip IPope Benedict XVI nomi- Academy in Glasgow, before of the Pontifical Scots Col- Ibeen appointed as my own Ithe unexpected death of to God’s loving mercy. nated Philip Bishop of Pais- entering the national junior lege, Rome. On 13 Septem- bishop in Paisley. Jericho 7x2.qxd 10/3/11 12:02 Page 1 Archbishop Philip. He was We do so with affection ley on 13 September 2005 seminary at St. Vincent’s ber 2005, Pope Benedict XVI At that time I was parish Picture by Paul McSherry Saint Patrick’s parish, a dear friend whom I’ve for Philip and for each and when, before a full College, Langbank, from nominated him Bishop of priest of St Joseph’s, Clark- known most of my life, other and we do so in the congregation on 20 Novem- where he graduated to St. Paisley and on 20 November ston and we had decanted where Archbishop and his learning, wisdom hope that we will all meet ber 2005, he was ordained Mary’s College, Blairs in that year he was ordained from the Church for build- despite the challenges, the inspirational priests and Tartaglia was baptised, and experience benefited together again happily in Bishop in our St Mirin’s Aberdeen. He completed Bishop in St Mirin’s Cathe- ing works. We had turned parish was flourishing. He identify attributes I wanted so many people in Paisley, paradise. Cathedral by Archbishop his seminary formation at dral by Archbishop Mario the parish hall into an Ora- never again asked how the in my own ministry. When I JERICHO mourns for our Glasgow and beyond. He will be sorely missed Mario Conti. the Pontifical Scots College Conti. On the Memorial of tory for daily Mass and we project was progressing. I became a bishop, I reflected We thank God for Philip, by everyone in the Catho- As our Fourth Bishop of and the Pontifical Gregorian the Nativity of Our Lady, used a local non-denomi- could tell that he now trust- on my Paisley bishops to see The Compassion of Jesus departed shepherd for his life, his priest- lic Church in Scotland. Paisley, Bishop Philip served University in Rome, before 8 September 2012 he was national school for the Sun- ed me and had left me to get what attributes I could learn Drug & Alcohol Rehabs., Refuge for Victims of Domestic and extends our hood, his unique good- My affection and us faithfully, building on being ordained Priest by installed as Archbishop of day Masses. on with the task. from them. Philip taught Violence, Supported Accommodation for the Destitute, ness and humour and for prayers go to his family, the good pastoral care of his Archbishop Thomas Win- Glasgow. The project, due to as- And that was something me, that even if, on occa- the Distressed, and all being ‘passed by on the other side.’ condolences to all those his taking up the many who are also dear friends, predecessor, Bishop John ning in Our Lady of Good As we remember him with bestos complications, had about Philip that always sion I would personally do a heavy tasks that were and to all the clergy and Mone. He renewed the cele- Counsel in Dennistoun on fondness and gratitude, we run well over schedule and impressed me. He certainly task differently, that having A COMMUNITY OF MEN OF PRAYER who loved him. placed on his shoulders people of the Archdio- bration of First Sacraments, the Memorial of the First pray for the repose of his when my new bishop en- had strong views which he appointed a priest as pastor over nearly fifty years of cese. presiding personally over Martyrs of Rome, 30 June soul and the consolation of quired what was happening would voice at meetings, then to trust him to do so as FOR OUR TIMES (founded 1970) Rest in peace service to the people and St Mungo, pray for him. the Confirmation of our 1975. He returned to Rome the priests and people of the I could tell he had concerns, but once he had said his he believes is best. I sincere- the city and the Church Requiescat in pace.