The Bishop of Glasgow, the Most Rev. Mario Joseph Conti was in Barga this afternoon to celebrate Mass at the Duomo and to meet some of the Barga flock. It was at this meeting that Ronnie Convery, the Communications Director for the Archdiocese of Glasgow also announced that work on the Italian Cloister Garden in Glasgow- the most significant monument to the Italian community ever to be considered in Scotland will be officially starting this month.
The Italian Cloister Garden will be built next to St Andrew’s Cathedral in Clyde Street, Glasgow. The planned garden will be a real “punto di ritrovo” for all Italians and those who want to experience a little corner of the Bel Paese in the heart of Glasgow.
Besides water features and seating, the garden will have a special memorial (the first public memorial in Britain) to all who lost their lives in the Arandora Star tragedy in World War II.
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In addition, Roman Architect Giulia Chiarini has designed a unique space at the centre in which people will be able to wander amid mirrored plinths engraved with quotes from the great Italian writers and from the Sacred Scriptures – a real visitor experience all Scots Italians can be proud of. – source – The Italian Cloister Garden website
Most Rev. Mario Joseph Conti K.C.H.S., Ph.L., S.T.L., D.D., F.R.S.E. Archbishop of Glasgow
Mario Joseph Conti, son of Louis Joseph Conti and Josephine Quintilia Conti (ms Panicali) was born at Elgin, Moray, 20th March 1934. He was educated at St Marie’s Convent and Springfield School, Elgin, and entered the Minor Seminary of St Mary’s College, Blairs. He was then, in 1952, sent by Bishop Francis Walsh to the Scots College, Rome, to study for the priesthood for the Diocese of Aberdeen.
He gained a Licence in Philosophy in 1955 and also in Theology in 1959 both from the Gregorian University, Rome. He was ordained Priest in the Church of San Marcello al Corso, Rome, by Archbishop Luigi Traglia on 26th October 1958.After completing his studies in 1959, he was appointed Assistant Priest, St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen. He was appointed Parish Priest of St Joachim’s, Wick and St Anne’s, Thurso in 1962.
He was nominated Bishop of Aberdeen on 28th February 1977, was ordained bishop by His Eminence Gordon Cardinal Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, at Aberdeen on 3rd May 1977.
He was appointed Archbishop of Glasgow by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on January 15th 2002 and took possession of the Archdiocese on Friday 22nd February 2002 in Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow.
Pope John Paul II bestowed the Pallium on Archbishop Conti on 29th June 2004. In October 2004, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Paisley until the succession of Bishop Philip Tartaglia in November 2005. – source
Click on the link below to hear a short interview with the Bishop of Glasgow recorded this afternoon in Barga Vecchia.
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