Tartaglia praises SNP leader at helicopter crash memorial

GLASGOW’S ARCHBISHOP Philip Tartaglia marked the first anniversary of the Clutha Vaults helicopter crash with a homily in which he told the bereaved families of the 10 who died that “the remaining pain in your heart is the undying fire of love”, writes Brian Morton.

In his address at Glasgow Cathedral, Archbishop Tartaglia said that too little time had passed for many to come to terms with their sudden bereavement.

He also praised the Scottish National Party for its proposed “less adversarial” form of government under new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who led prayers at the ecumenical service.

“There is a feeling around that we are in a special moment when we can shape a new Scotland. Our new First Minister, who is happily with us here this afternoon, has proposed a more consensual form of government, less partisan, less party-political and less adversarial. I think everyone would welcome that … We are all equal in Scotland … all free to express our views and follow our consciences,” he said.