(Photograph by Marcin Mazur)
Catholics in Scotland are mourning the death of Emeritus Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow who has died after a short illness.
Archbishop Conti, 88, was admitted to the city’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he “died peacefully” on November 8. He had served as a priest for 64 years and as a bishop for 45 years.
Tributes were led by Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
Bishop Gilbert said: “It was with great sadness that we learned … of the death of Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti.
“His presence as a bishop has been a constant for so long, it is difficult to remember a time when he wasn’t an active or retired member of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
“As the current Bishop of Aberdeen I have many fond memories of him during his 25 years as Bishop of Aberdeen.
“Although he became Archbishop of Glasgow in 2002 his ties to the North East of Scotland remained strong.
“His interest in and knowledge of Scotland’s Catholic history was well known and his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the church was unwavering.”
Bishop Gilbert added: “In his retirement, he was a source of great wisdom and pastoral support to his successors both in Glasgow and Aberdeen.
“His work in ecumenism and interfaith matters as well as his affection for the Italian community in Scotland were among his defining characteristics.
“On behalf of the bishops of Scotland, we commend his soul into the hands of God and pray that he may enjoy eternal rest.”
Archbishop Conti, the ninth Archbishop of Glasgow, succeeded Cardinal Thomas Winning in 2002 and served until 2012 when he was succeeded by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia.
The present incumbent, Archbishop William Nolan, told the Glasgow Herald that the death of his predecessor “will be felt not just in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, but across Scotland and beyond”.
“He was a much-loved figure, a man of great energy and pastoral zeal, who loved the Church and loved the people in his care,” said Archbishop Nolan.
“When I was appointed archbishop earlier this year I found him both gracious and welcoming and full of ideas and suggestions for the future.”
Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney also paid tribute to Archbishop Conti.
He said: “He was a kind man and a great servant to the Catholic community across Greater Glasgow. His finest legacy will be in the beautiful restoration of Glasgow Metropolitan Cathedral.”
Archbishop Conti attended at St Mary’s College, Blairs, Aberdeenshire, and studied at the Scots College and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he obtained degrees in philosophy and theology.
He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on October 26, 1958, and served as parish priest in Wick and Thurso before he was named bishop of Aberdeen in February 1977 by Pope St Paul VI.
As Archbishop of Glasgow, he renovated St Andrew’s Cathedral and welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Bellahouston Park in Glasgow in 2010. He was a former lead chaplain to the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
