Yes, the Duomo is a spectacular building with a history dating back through the centuries but Barga is not a large city and its inhabitants over the whole area only number just over 10,000 souls but leading the mass this morning was a Cardinal and by his side, an Archbishop Emeritus.
Part of this story has to do with the continuing story of emigration from Barga to Scotland from the last century.
His Emininence Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri was born here in Barga and Mario Joseph Conti, Archbishop Emeritus of the Metropolitan see of Glasgow, Scotland although born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland has family from this area in nearby Fosciandora.
Archbishop Baldisseri is the current Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops since his appointment was announced by Pope Francis on 21 September 2013. On 16 December 2013 he was appointed as a member of the Congregation for Bishops.
Baldisseri was created cardinal on February 22 with the title of Cardinal-Deacon of Sant’Anselmo all’Aventino.
Mario Joseph Conti is the Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of the Metropolitan see of Glasgow, Scotland. He holds the following honours: Commendatore nell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, 1981. Honorary D.D. (University of Aberdeen), 1989. Honorary D.D (University of Glasgow), 2010 Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem Rhodes and Malta, 1991; Principal Chaplain to the British Association of the Order of Malta, 1995-2000. Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Honorary Professor of Theology at the University of Aberdeen, 2002 Grande Ufficiale della Stella della Solidarieta’ Italiana
