THE former Bishop of Paisley has been laid to rest in a funeral service in Glasgow. 

Philip Tartaglia was described as a "great tree felled unexpectedly in the middle of the night" and "someone who touched so many lives" during the Covid-19 restricted ceremony this afternoon. 

Close friends and family gathered to remember the Archbishop of Glasgow - who served as Renfrewshire's leading Catholic until 2012 - while thousands watched the funeral mass from St Andrew's Cathedral online. 

Bishop Hugh Gilbert, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: "Don't we wish this wasn't happening. Don't we wish we weren't here. Don't we wish this wasn't happening in the way it does have to happen.

"The bishop who called me to tell me the sad news was in tears when he did so. I am sure there have been many tears since then.

Barrhead News: Thousands watched the funeral service online as Covid restrictions limited the number of people who could attend Thousands watched the funeral service online as Covid restrictions limited the number of people who could attend

"Today is a day for tears. We need not be ashamed of them or restrain them. Today is also a day of hope because the Lord is here." 

The leader of the Catholic Church in the city - who served as Paisley's Bishop between 2005 and 2012 - passed away on the Feast Day of St Mungo last week at the age of 70. He had recently tested positive for coronavirus but the archdiocese said it was too early to determine the cause of death. 

Due to the current lockdown restrictions, only 20 people were allowed to attend the funeral mass. Instead, thousands watched on YouTube with messages of support pouring in from the likes of Italy, the Netherlands, and America. 

The service – which began with a montage of the Archbishop's time in Glasgow – was led by Bishop Gilbert, Monsignor Hugh Bradley and Canon Gerry Tartaglia, Philip's brother.  

On Wednesday, Father Tartaglia, a priest in Clydebank, said: "I don't know how many times I have said it over the last week but I can't believe it. I really can't believe that Philip, the Archbishop, has died. 

Barrhead News: Canon Gerry Tartaglia, Philip's brother, paid tribute on Wednesday Canon Gerry Tartaglia, Philip's brother, paid tribute on Wednesday

"We are shattered. Overwhelmed. We are speechless. And yet we have experienced the most extraordinary outpouring of support and faith. " 

During today's funeral mass, the hymns Psalm 22 (23), Ave Maria, and Soul of my Saviour were sung while Mgr Bradley - who has assumed the role of caretaker of the archdiocese - read from the Gospel of John. 

Bishop Gilbert spoke of the Archbishop's work with asylum seekers and his words of comfort during Glasgow's more difficult days.  

He also shared memories of Father Tartaglia's meeting with Pope Francis – who yesterday expressed his "deep sadness" at the news – where the leader of the Catholic church gave the Riddrie man a "delighted thumbs up". 

Barrhead News: Philip Tartaglia was born in the East End in 1951 Philip Tartaglia was born in the East End in 1951

Bishop Gilbert said in his sermon: "The image that comes to me is of a great tree felled unexpectedly in the middle of the night – Storm Covid. 

"And only when we woke up the day following did we begin to divine what had happened, did we begin to grasp the depths of its roots, to see the space this tree occupied, the shelter it gave, and what we’ve personally and collectively lost. This uprooting has changed the landscapes of so many lives. 

“Tree seems right. The timber of this man was sound. Eulogy is no part of a liturgy. It’s the last thing Philip would have wanted; he was not a self-advertising man. It’s not what we want; we are probably still too numb. 

Barrhead News: Pope Francis, right, sent a message of support ahead of today's funeral mass Pope Francis, right, sent a message of support ahead of today's funeral mass

"Looking at it from our side, we are commending to God today someone who wasn’t small in any sense, someone of gravitas, and someone in whom head and heart came together, possessed of intellectual force and clarity and at the same time of great human warmth.

"He had a gift for friendship and insight into people.

"It’s for believing and confessing and preaching these things he would want to be remembered. It’s on this basis he would want his beloved archdiocese and the church in Scotland to move forward.

"The great tree goes into the earth as a seed, to rest through the winter of time in “the dear green place”, to rest and to be raised incorruptible." 

Following the service, Bishop Gilbert commended Archbishop Tartaglia's body to God before he was laid to rest in the cathedral crypt.