Scottish Catholic Observer

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia has exhorted Glasgow’s Catholics to ‘not be afraid to believe, to hope, to love’ as he celebrated his first Easter as archbishop.

The archbishop was speaking at the Easter vigil Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, where 100 new converts joined the Catholic Church.

The archbishop singled out one, Fahad Di Stefano (above being Baptised) from southern Italy as representative of all those around the world who joined the Church that night.

“I welcome Fahad, who will be Baptised this evening,” he said. “His sponsor, Elizabeth, one of the cathedral RCIA team, is also here to present him for Baptism and to support him. Fahad, here with us, is the Elect of God, the chosen one, who will be admitted into the life of the Resurrection in the waters of Baptism. Fahad, we greet you once again with affection and with joy.”

The archbishop went on to tell all those who were Baptised that night that they have taken a powerful decision.

“ That decision of Faith is leading you this night to Baptism, to Confirmation and to First Holy Communion, to the new life of Christ and to the Church,” he said.

The archbishop said he urged ‘Fahad and all of us who have been for some time blessed with the new life of Christ, not to be afraid.’

The archbishop added: “Here in Scotland, the Catholic Church has recently suffered a very disabling setback, and this has saddened and distressed us all, as well as weakened the credibility and witness of the Church,” he said. “It may take us some time to climb out of the hole we are in at the moment. In these circumstances, we welcome the announcement of the Resurrection as a sure and certain foundation for our Faith and for continuing to believe. Christ is alive, and that is the reason we believe. That is the reason we are Christians.”

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PIC: PAUL McSHERRY

—This story was published in full in the April 5 print edition of the SCO