THE leader of Inverclyde’s Roman Catholics has been appointed as Archbishop of Glasgow.

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Philip Tartaglia, who has been Bishop of Paisley since 2005, to succeed the Most Rev Mario Joseph Conti, who has been archbishop since February 2002.

The Archbishop-Elect said: “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. It is a great honour for me to be appointed archbishop of my native city and diocese.”

He continued: "I have been very happy as Bishop of Paisley and I will be ever grateful to the clergy and people of the diocese for their kindness to me. I hope I will get the chance to say farewell in an appropriate fashion before I take up my new post."

Until he takes up his new appointment, Bishop Philip is the diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Paisley. On his installation as archbishop, a diocesan administrator will be appointed place until the appointment of a new bishop.

More On BBC Website