4 NEWSDECEMBER <strong>2005</strong> ·Day <strong>of</strong> joy for Bishop PhilipThe Bishop-elect flanked by hisbrother, Fr Gerard Tartaglia,and Fr Peter GallacherBenedict, Bishop, Servant <strong>of</strong> the Servants <strong>of</strong> God, sends greetings and the Apostolic Blessingto his dear son Philip Tartaglia, <strong>of</strong> the clergy <strong>of</strong> <strong>Glasgow</strong>...Since our venerable brother John Aloysius Mone has resigned from the <strong>of</strong>fice governing theSee <strong>of</strong> Paisley, we have sought to nominate speedily a new bishop and experienced pastor.Having diligently considered the matter, our mind turned to you, dear son, whom weconsider suitable to take up this task. You have distinguished yourself in the diligent exercise<strong>of</strong> your priesthood in the <strong>Archdiocese</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Glasgow</strong> and in your wise administration <strong>of</strong> thePontifical Scots College, Rome.Accordingly, by virtue <strong>of</strong> our apostolic authority, on the advice <strong>of</strong> the Congregation <strong>of</strong> Bishops,we appoint you Bishop <strong>of</strong> the Diocese <strong>of</strong> Paisley... By the diligent preaching <strong>of</strong> the Gospel, thecorrect administration <strong>of</strong> the sacraments, in association with the priests and lay faithful you areto increase the spiritual strength <strong>of</strong> the whole Church <strong>of</strong> Paisley.Given in Rome, at St Peter’s, on the thirteenth day <strong>of</strong> September, in the year <strong>of</strong> Our Lord<strong>2005</strong>, the first <strong>of</strong> our pontificate.Benedict XVIA SPIRIT <strong>of</strong> jubilation filledSt Mirin’s Cathedral as<strong>Glasgow</strong> priest Fr PhilipTartaglia was ordainedBishop <strong>of</strong> Paisley on theSolemnity <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ,Universal King.The three-hour ceremony,before a congregation <strong>of</strong> almost2,000 people, was rich in thesymbols <strong>of</strong> episcopal <strong>of</strong>fice,emphasising the Bishop’s ministryas leader, shepherd and guide.Vested in a gold chasuble, thebishop-elect took his place onthe sanctuary between his priestassistants, his brother Fr GerardTartaglia and friend Fr PeterGallacher, while the Liturgy <strong>of</strong>the Word was celebrated.The rite <strong>of</strong> ordination beganwith the singing <strong>of</strong> Veni CreatorSpiritus, invoking the HolySpirit. Then Mgr Denis Carlin, apriest <strong>of</strong> the Diocese <strong>of</strong> Paisley,asked Archbishop Conti, theprincipal consecrator to ordainFr Philip for service as bishop.The Apostolic Mandate, signedby Pope Benedict XVI was readout by Mgr Joseph Marino, representingthe Apostolic Nuncio toGreat Britain.In the homily, Archbishop Contireflected on the ancient Christiansymbol - found in the catacombs<strong>of</strong> Rome - <strong>of</strong> Christ as a youngshepherd with a lamb across hisshoulders. He said: “In the episcopate,frail as we are, through thesacrament <strong>of</strong> ordination Christplaces us in charge <strong>of</strong> his flock.”The Archbishop then examinedthe Bishop-elect on hisresolve to discharge the <strong>of</strong>ficethat was to be entrusted to him:• To be faithful and constant inproclaiming the Gospel;• To maintain the deposit <strong>of</strong>faith, entire and incorrupt;• To build up the Church as thebody <strong>of</strong> Christ, faithful inobedience to the successor <strong>of</strong>Peter;• To sustain the people <strong>of</strong> Godand guide them in the way <strong>of</strong>salvation;• To show kindness andcompassion to all who are inneed, and seek out the sheepwho stray;• To carry out his duties so asto afford no grounds forreproach.The Bishop-elect responded:“I am with the help <strong>of</strong> God.”After the litany <strong>of</strong> the Saints wassung, Archbishop Conti laid hishands on the head <strong>of</strong> Fr Philip - anaction repeated by the co-consecratorsArchbishop RaymondBurke and Bishop Mone, as wellas the other bishops present.As the prayers <strong>of</strong> consecrationwere <strong>of</strong>fered, the twodeacons from the Scots College,Rome, held the Book <strong>of</strong> theGospels above the head <strong>of</strong> theirerstwhile Rector.Bishop Tartaglia was anointedon the head with oil, before beingpresented with the Gospels. Thenfollowed the investiture with thesymbols <strong>of</strong> his <strong>of</strong>fice - ring, mitreand crozier.Archbishop Conti, who hadbeen Apostolic Administrator <strong>of</strong>the Diocese <strong>of</strong> Paisley until thismoment, then invited the newBishop to occupy the ‘cathedra’ -the central chair on the sanctuary.From there, Bishop Tartagliaintoned: “Credo in unum Deum”- leading the whole congregationin the pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>of</strong> faith.Then as principal celebrant hepresided at the liturgy <strong>of</strong> theEucharist.As well as fellow bishops,around 100 priests, includingsome 20 from the <strong>Archdiocese</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Glasgow</strong>, shared in the celebration.The congregation, whichspilled over into the nearby cathedralhalls, included relatives,friends, parishioners from acrossthe diocese <strong>of</strong> Paisley, ministers<strong>of</strong> various Church <strong>of</strong> Scotlandparishes, MPs and MSPs andmembers <strong>of</strong> local governmentauthorities. Throughout theimpressive ceremony, the joyfuland dignified music was led bythe diocesan choir.As everyone joined in thethanksgiving Te Deum, the newBishop <strong>of</strong> Paisley was taken byArchbishop Conti and BishopMone through the cathedral andsurrounding halls to greet thepeople <strong>of</strong> the diocese.While he is the fourth incumbent<strong>of</strong> the See, BishopTartaglia’s was the first episcopalordination in St Mirin’ssince that <strong>of</strong> Bishop JamesBlack in 1948.Fittingly, the impressive celebrationended on a note <strong>of</strong> joyfulpraise to God - Jubilate Deo,cantate Domino.Greatest honour deserving <strong>of</strong>live your dream in the grand styleAffordable Real Estate and Vacation Rentals in ItalyAre you looking for a holiday home in Italy?Do you want to spend your holidays in a Villa,Farmhouse or Apartments in Tuscany?Visit us now at:www.housesintuscany.bizWe can <strong>of</strong>fer you selected houses in the greenValley <strong>of</strong> Garfagnana, in the Tuscan hills,at the seaside or in the green countryside.“Il Parco”, Via della Repubblica, 114 Fornaci di Barga – Barga, Italy;email : pamelailparco@virgilio.it.tel : 0039 0583 708437"Il Parco" is your English speaking agency in Tuscany, we can <strong>of</strong>fer personaladvice to make your stay pleasant & rewarding.BISHOP PHILIP TARTAGLIAdescribed his nomination asBishop <strong>of</strong> Paisley as the“greatest honour” <strong>of</strong> his life.And while admitting a littleapprehension, this wasoutweighed by thanksgiving,trust, hope, joy and excitement.At the end <strong>of</strong> the joyfulOrdination ceremony he tooktime to thank a whole host <strong>of</strong>people, inviting them to keephim in their prayers.He began by paying heartfelttribute to his parents – “Guidoand Annita who have gone toGod”. He said: “People whohave known me since I wasyoung, on hearing <strong>of</strong> my nomination,have typically saidsomething like: ‘Your motherand father would be so proud<strong>of</strong> you’.“So it is to them firstly Idirect words and thoughts <strong>of</strong>love and respect and to askthem to continue to love andcare for and pray for their boy.My brothers and sisters,happily here today, know justwhat is in my heart for it is intheirs too.”The oldest in a family <strong>of</strong>nine, Bishop Tartaglia singledout his brother Fr Gerard,parish priest <strong>of</strong> St Margaret’s,Clydebank, who was his priesthelperat the ordination. “He isa good man, a great brother,and an excellent priest,” hesaid. “He knows that I love andthank him, and with him mybrothers and sisters andfamily.”SuccessionAlso assisting the newbishop were Canon PeterGallacher, parish priest <strong>of</strong>Christ the King, <strong>Glasgow</strong>, andMgr Denis Carlin, formerRector <strong>of</strong> the Royal ScotsCollege, Spain – friends fromtheir student days together inthe 1970s at the Scots College,Rome. Another friend fromstudent days in Rome wasRaymond Burke, nowArchbishop <strong>of</strong> St Louis,Missouri, who traveled over toScotland to take part in theordination as co-consecrator.As the newest and youngestmember <strong>of</strong> the Scottish BishopsConference, Bishop Tartagliathanked Cardinal Keith O’Brienand the other Bishops for thewarmth <strong>of</strong> their welcome and fortheir encouragement. “I praythat we will be united in a spirit<strong>of</strong> collegiality that will be bothaffective and effective,” he said.He extended special thanksto Archbishop Mario Conti forordaining and consecratinghim as bishop, passing on “inApostolic Succession thegrace and ministry <strong>of</strong> the episcopacy- an indelible bond thatI value greatly.”He added: “As a <strong>Glasgow</strong>priest, I gave ArchbishopConti, as my bishop, my obedienceand respect. AsMetropolitan, the Archbishop<strong>of</strong> <strong>Glasgow</strong> has a place <strong>of</strong>honor in the Ecclesiasticalprovince <strong>of</strong> <strong>Glasgow</strong>, and weare all happy to accord theArchbishop that honor in thisdiocese, even though I am surehe will be relieved to be able toconcentrate now on the government<strong>of</strong> his own archdiocese.”The note <strong>of</strong> gratitude waswarmly applauded by thepacked Cathedral congregation,as were further tributes to
· DECEMBER <strong>2005</strong>NEWS 5Archbishop Conti lays hands on theBishop-elect watched byArchbishop Burke and Bishop Mone,Receive the Gospel and preach the word <strong>of</strong> Godwith unfailing patience and sound teaching,Pictures byPaul McSherrymuch thanks and respect,Take this ring, the seal <strong>of</strong> your fidelity. With faithand love protect the bride <strong>of</strong> God, his holy Church,his immediate predecessors inPaisley.“I am so pleased that mypredecessor Bishop JohnMone, a much-loved bishop<strong>of</strong> Paisley for 16 years, is heretoday, and it means a lot to methat he agreed to be a coconsecratingbishop at thisliturgy,” he said.“Bishop John – as everyonecalls him – has given me everyencouragement since mynomination, and now he hasbeen part <strong>of</strong> making me abishop in succession to himand in passing to me thepastoral staff <strong>of</strong> the Diocese <strong>of</strong>Paisley.”The death <strong>of</strong> BishopStephen McGill, just tendays before, robbed the celebration<strong>of</strong> a unique occurrence– the presence <strong>of</strong> twobishops emeriti <strong>of</strong> Paisley.Still, he had penned amessage <strong>of</strong> warmest congratulationswhich appearedpoignantly in the commemorativebooklet.Like his late predecessor,who devoted his early yearsto seminary formation,Bishop Tartaglia has spentmuch <strong>of</strong> his 30 years as apriest on the staff <strong>of</strong> seminaries– latterly as the 50thRector <strong>of</strong> the Pontifical ScotsCollege, Rome.“As things turned out, myappointment as Rector onlylasted 18 months, but Iwonder if it was God’s way <strong>of</strong>sharpening me up in mind andspirit for the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong>bishop,” he said, whilethanking his colleagues, thestudents and community <strong>of</strong>the College.PriorityVowing to make vocations’promotion a priority, he added:“We need a steady supply <strong>of</strong>priests to be part the fine presbyterate<strong>of</strong> Paisley Diocese,because without priests, thereis no Eucharist and without theEucharist the Church is only ashadow <strong>of</strong> itself.“So I invite all young menwho are going through theseason <strong>of</strong> decision in theirlives to ask if God is callingthem to his service as apriest.”And to those alreadyserving as priests in thediocese, he pledged: “If thereis one thing I ask <strong>of</strong> the Lord,it is this - to be with you apriest and for you a bishop; tohave the vision to inspire you;the conviction to encourageyou; the energy to lead you;the wisdom to work with you;and above all the heart to loveyou.”And to all the men, women,young people and children <strong>of</strong>Paisley diocese, he urged:“Please pray for me that I canbe the Bishop for you and forthis Diocese that Christ wantsme to be.“Please know that yourfaith makes sense today asever, that your hope in eternallife is real, that your love andservice in Christ’s name issupremely worthwhile.”Bishop Tartaglia ended:“On all <strong>of</strong> us here today andon this entire diocese, Iinvoke the intercession,blessing and protection <strong>of</strong> theBlessed Virgin May Mother<strong>of</strong> the Redeemer and Mother<strong>of</strong> the Church.”,Take this staff as a sign <strong>of</strong> your pastoral <strong>of</strong>fice: keep watchover the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit hasappointed you to shepherd the Church <strong>of</strong> God,
Change language