Scottish Catholic Observer

I am very thankful that I am making a good recovery from a heart attack and that I can now resume my duties as Archbishop and begin to lead a normal life again. For the next six to ten weeks, I will participate in a twice-weekly cardiac rehabilitation class, which, as well as being good for my health, is also good fun.

As my medical care continues, I want to thank God for the skills and professionalism and human support of medical staff both in Salamanca (Spain), where I had the heart attack, and here at home. In a word, the treatment I have received has been superb, and I am full of admiration for these doctors, nurses and medical staff. The doctor who performed the cardiac catherisation procedure on me in Spain said to me when he was finished: “You be sure to look after those stents.” I guess that the best way to thank all the medical staff who have cared for me is to look after myself better than I was doing.

I am very grateful for all the letters, messages, cards and expressions of good wishes and prayers—to say nothing of baskets of fresh fruit—that I have received over these weeks. It will be impossible for me to answer them all. But I am very grateful for every prayer and every good wish and every apple, orange or pear.

I want everyone to know that I was very touched and encouraged by all these kind and generous sentiments. I am grateful too for the prayers that were offered across the archdiocese and beyond, in parishes and schools and convents and monasteries. My recovery suggests that the prayers were heard and I am grateful to God for his gracious Providence.

In the most special way, I want to thank the many primary school classes and pupils who sent posters and cards with messages and prayers. I just cannot express how touched I was to receive these very innocent and personal and loving wishes. There were so many I cannot begin to repeat them. One girl wrote: “God our Father please help Archbishop Tartaglia have a speedy recovery and rest in peace so that he can get back on his feet and keep Glasgow happy.” Priceless!

If I could send a message to all these wonderful boys and girls, I would say this: “Boys and girls, you really cheered me up and helped me to get well. As archbishop, I have a special place in my heart for you. You are my friends. Let’s pray for each other often.”

Please God, I will carry out my first serious engagements next week at our events commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St John Ogilvie and I am really glad that my recovery allows me to do that. It wouldn’t be right for the Archbishop of Glasgow to miss out on such a historic occasion for the Church in Scotland and for the city of Glasgow.

But before that I plan to say my first public Mass since my illness in St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday. I will thank God for my recovery, pray for the intentions of everyone who has prayed for me and wished me well, and especially my friends the children.

And of course, I cannot forget my doctors and nurses. May God bless them all.

— Archbishop Tartaglia of Glasgow became unwell during the Bishops of Scotland’s winter retreat to Salamanca in January