Scottish Catholic Observer

The archbishop also has told how he wept with a woman who saw her teenage daughter and both her parents die ‘almost right in front of her” as he led a special service in honour of the victims of the bin lorry tragedy.’

Archbishop Tartaglia said the woman and her family were left in tears by the ‘abyss of their loss’ after student Erin McQuade and her grandparents Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, all from Dumbarton, were fatally injured in the accident.

Jacqueline McQuade was withdraing money from a cash machine during the Christmas shopping trip when her 18-year-old daughter and parents killed.

Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both of Glasgow, also died in Monday’s tragedy

At the end of Mass the following letter was read from Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Apostolic nuncio:

“I have heard the news from Glasgow concerning the tragic accident which took place on Monday and killed six persons while injuring many others.

“On behalf of the Holy Father,Pope Francis, I wish to express sympathy and to convey the spiritual closeness of the Holy Father to all those persons involved and to their relations and friend along with the assurance of his continuing prayers during this Holy Season, and my own too.

“With thoughts and gratitude to all members of the Police, Fire and Rescue and Medical services who provided prompt assistance and aid to those who were injured.

“With my prayerful good wishes, sympathy and kind regards, I remain, yours sincerely in the Lord, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio.”