New Archbishop of Glasgow announced

Bishop Philip Tartaglia has been announced today as the new Archbishop of Glasgow.

He will succeed the Most Rev Mario Conti, who has held the position since 2002.

Bishop Tartaglia has served in his current role as Bishop of Paisley since late 2005.

He said the people of Paisley would "always be in my heart".

“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," he said.

"It is a great honour for me to be appointed Archbishop of my native city and diocese.”

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 welcomed the appointment of Bishop Tartaglia as his successor.

"I have known him for more than 30 years and I have the greatest admiration for his gifts of leadership, intelligence and pastoral sensitivity," he said.

"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 him in whatever way he may wish in the life of the Church in Glasgow.”

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, expressed his thanks for the outgoing Archbishop Conti,.

“He will indeed be missed in his own Archdiocese, and beyond," he said.

"However, alert as always, I am sure that he will be available to add to any discussion about ways forward for the Catholic Church in Scotland and will continue to show himself as an ardent pastor in our country.”

Bishop Tartaglia will take up his new role as Archbishop of Glasgow on September 8. Following his retirement, Archbishop Conti will have the title Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow is the largest of Scotland’s eight dioceses with an estimated Catholic population of 200,000. It comprises 95 parishes and is served by 203 priests.