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Archbishop of Glasgow: Labour MP David Cairns died because he was gay

To suggest that Cairns died of anything other than pancreatitis is as bizarre as it is insulting.

By George Eaton Published 25 July 2012 9:18

Archbishop of Glasgow-elect Philip Tartaglia.

Catholic bishop Philip Tartaglia hasn't even taken up his new post as Archbishop of Glasgow yet, but he's already facing calls for his resignation. It's emerged that in a recent speech (11 April) at a religious conference at Oxford University he accused society of being "very quiet" about "the relationship between the physical and mental health of gay men". He went on to suggest that the premature death of Labour MP David Cairns last year was partly due to his homosexuality.

Tartaglia said (fast forward to 1:03:29 for the comments):

If what I have heard is true about the relationship between the physical and mental health of gay men, if it is true, then society is being very quiet about it.

Recently in Scotland, there was a gay Catholic MP who died at the age of 44 or so, and nobody said anything, and why should his body just shut down at that age?

Obviously he could have had a disease that would have killed anybody.

But you seem to hear so many stories about anger at 'hurtful and ignorant' comments, this kind of thing, but society won't address it.

In fact, as was reported at the time of his death, Cairns died of pancreatitis, an illness that, like all others, afflicts homosexuals and heterosexuals alike (although perhaps Tartaglia, a la Brass Eye, distinguishes between "good aids" and "bad aids"). The suggestion from Tartaglia, a vociferous opponent of gay marriage, appears to be that "being gay can kill you". In his defence, Tartaglia would point out that he was responding to a question about the recent suicide of a gay author in the US. But to move from this to suggest that Cairns's death was due to anything other than pancreatitis is as bizarre as it is insulting.

One is reminded of Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir's notorious column on the death of Stephen Gately, in which she wrote:

Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again.

Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one. Let us be absolutely clear about this. All that has been established so far is that Stephen Gately was not murdered.

And I think if we are going to be honest, we would have to admit that the circumstances surrounding his death are more than a little sleazy.

Cairns's partner, Dermot Kehoe, who was in a relationship with the former Scotland Office minister for almost 15 years, told the Scotsman:

This is genuinely very upsetting and painful for David's family and friends.

I can't believe that someone who claims to be a man of God and is seeking to give moral leadership should speak from such a position of ignorance.

I don't care what his views on gay marriage are, but to bring in my dead partner to justify those views is wrong.

PoliticsHome's Paul Waugh reports that Ed Miliband, who is in Scotland today, is also expected to respond. Let us hope so, and that Tartaglia's grotesque comments are condemned by all parties.

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Tags: Religion

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47 comments

Fri, 2012-07-27 11:08 — Stefano (not verified)

Infierire sui morti facendo leva sulla morale è uno degli sport preferiti di certi integralisti, ma sopratutto il vedere solo quello che fa comodo e' uno sport molto praticato dai rappresentanti del clero e dai bigotti che li ascoltano. Era meglio che stava zitto quel sodomizzatore di bambini.

On deaths averted by relying on morality is one of the favorite sports of some fundamentalists, but mostly just to see what suits and 'big sport by representatives of the clergy and the bigots who listen to them. It was better that he kept quiet that sodomizing children.

Wed, 2012-07-25 23:18 — Ramon Lull (not verified)

The mouthpiece of the paedophile church thinks it has the right to lecture us on 'morality'?

Philip Tartaglia can shove it right up his bigot cassock. I dread to think what he keeps up there...

Wed, 2012-07-25 22:57 — EdtheLindyhopper (not verified)

A former catholic priest interviewed recently on the radio estimated between thirty and forty percent of catholic priests in Britain were homosexual. There is no more hypocritical organization in the world than the morally bankrupt Catholic Church.

Maybe Mr Tartaglia can tell us how many times he had sexual intercourse with a female before studying to be a priest. I would hazard a guess the number is zero.

Wed, 2012-07-25 21:09 — Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley (not verified)

He may well have forgotten our rights concerning privacy ,dignity, safe health and medical record keeping and confidentiality, since becoming a priest. Bless him. It might be a traditional part OF his job..to treat everything apparently unknowable or unknown that may happen to a human like a sin.

Thu, 2012-07-26 17:48 — andyg (not verified)

Mrs H, forgive my ignorance but could you just explain the last sentence?

Wed, 2012-07-25 19:29 — andyg (not verified)

For he who is without sin, may he cast the first stone.
Although it is some time now since leaving school, would I be right in saying that the founder of Christianity built his flock from all within society and taught them to love one-another?

Wed, 2012-07-25 20:29 — Keir

No, you would be wr0ng. Jesus said that his church would be a minority, would have no formal connexions with civil states, and was not to moralise to society. Roman Catholicism is disqualified on all those grounds (and a multitude of others).

Incidentally, the passage about the woman caught in adultery is not in the real Bible.

Thu, 2012-07-26 17:54 — andyg (not verified)

Thanks for the correction Keir. Where, incidentally did the passage about the woman caught in adultery come from?
And, forgive my ignorance, what is meant by the" real bible"?

Fri, 2012-07-27 11:20 — Keir

'Thanks for the correction Keir.'

Glad to help.

'Where, incidentally did the passage about the woman caught in adultery come from?'

This passage, known as the Pericope Adulterae, is not found in any Greek manuscript until the late 4th or early 5th century. For this reason, and for several others, it's an obvious interpolation, so its author(s) remain(s) unknown. The United Bible Societies indicate that it is not to be included by translators, but it is still included in translations because publishers decide on these things, not theologians. It's not unique as improper inclusion, btw.

'And, forgive my ignorance, what is meant by the" real bible"?'

The New Testament universally agreed by mainstream scholarship to be the original text, punctuation differences apart.

Thu, 2012-07-26 18:07 — andyg (not verified)

Keir, what's this about then?
"And early in the morning He came again into the Temple [see "My Father's House"], and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them." [see Rabbi]
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?"
"This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him."
"But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground."
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
"When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?"
"She said, No man, Lord."
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:2-11 KJV)

And, if these blokes brought the woman because of her adultary, why didn't these blokes bring the bloke that she was having a bit of tutti fruiti with aswell?

Fri, 2012-07-27 11:35 — Keir

A good question. For sympathy? It's pure invention, anyway.

A translation now over four centuries old is hardly likely to assist. :-) Modern translations indicate (albeit in small italics) that the passage is not authentic. The Revised English Bible, to its credit, omits the passage entirely, which makes the text flow logically, without interruption. (This version is not without modern problems, though, so this mention is not a recommendation.)

Fri, 2012-07-27 19:15 — andyg (not verified)

Well I never! It would appear that I have been hoodwinked all these years although I still don't fully understand. At the bottom of the writing it mentions a 'John'. Who's this fella? and why has he been writing a pack of lies? I tend to find this sort of thing in the Sun and Daily Mail but I wouldn't have thought the same would be written in what is meant to be a 'Holy book'.
Do we know who this John fella is and what his game was Keir?

Fri, 2012-07-27 18:58 — andyg (not verified)

Ridht o our Keir. The burning question I now find asking myself is firstly that the 'real bible' must be alot thinner than the ones I am use to seeing and secondly, from a moral and ethical point of view, doesn't this story strengthen the teachings of the bible than if it wasn't included at all?

Fri, 2012-07-27 22:41 — Keir

Your second question is legitimate; but the first one isn't. So post in a way that deserves a reply.

Sat, 2012-07-28 10:27 — andyg (not verified)

Nor do I understand when you write that the first question is legitimate. If this is so then why does it not deserve an answer? If you don't or can't answer it then that's ok but at least have the dignity to let me and the girls know your answer.
If you can't answer the above then could you just explain who "the great bulwark of the true faith" is please? I was wondering if this may lead us to the path of that bloke called John.
If we can walk these roads together, then maybe it's possible to return to the cleric in the article and compare and contrast what he's said with the man in who's name he claims to preach.

Sat, 2012-07-28 09:39 — andyg (not verified)

I'm not sure that I understand Keir. There is a passage in the bible that talks of a woman being stoned or not as the case maybe. Apparently this piece of writing was written by someone called John.
You now inform me that this piece was not in the original bible which must mean that this bloke called John is a bit of an imposter. (That's how I understand it so far)
Now then, you been the scholar of these writings and not I, my question at this point is who is this John bloke and why has this piece found its way into this book called the bible? What's so wrong with that?

Wed, 2012-07-25 19:06 — Richard Nottingham (not verified)

I honestly think the Catholic Church is lagging behind the rest of society morally speaking and are trying to hold the rest of us back to fit in with their narrow minded intolerant views.

Why do we even bother to listen to their opinions any more?

The Archbishop should hang his head with shame for making such a homophobic evil statement.

Wed, 2012-07-25 17:18 — Mike of Edin (not verified)

Consider the number of Scots, irrespective of age, gender or orientation who die early simply because their diet and drinking habits are appalling. Maybe the Archbishop would like to confront his flock about that?

Aside from that, the recent history of Catholic Archbishops all over the globe has been to make profoundly homophobic comments and not make any apology. The Anglicans are little better. They have no moral compass.

Wed, 2012-07-25 16:47 — p j wall (not verified)

I wonder what Mr Tartaglias views are about the many thousands of practising 'PAEDOPHILES' in his organisation??.
Mind you, looking at him, i wouldn't want him anywhere near my daughter!!.

Wed, 2012-07-25 23:20 — Ramon Lull (not verified)

He is more likely to be after your son, actually.

Wed, 2012-07-25 19:33 — andyg (not verified)

Comments like this don't help the discussion.

Wed, 2012-07-25 15:39 — Turnip Ghost (not verified)

"Tartaglia's a pimp."
-The Don

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:33 — DMyers

On a side point, why has the NS not put up a story about the Scottish Government's announcement of legislation for marriage equality? Oh, that would involve a bit of praise for the SNP, wouldn't it? We can't have that, can we?

Wed, 2012-07-25 23:14 — New statesmanLudus57 (not verified)

Since the SNP are happy to tale Brian Souter's shilling, thus preventing a proper tailoring of public trandport to the real nerds of the Scottish people, and Alex Salmond's cosy relationship with Murdoch, I hardly think they need special consideration.

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:22 — Richard Shaw (not verified)

What a disgusting, hate-filled bigot says should no longer surprise us. That he still possesses a platform to espouse this mendacious bulls**t should though disappoint us.

Wed, 2012-07-25 15:14 — Iain hill (not verified)

Let us not overreact. No one in their right mind takes these old bigots seriously any longer, and it has not taken him long to bring himself and his religion into disrepute.

Wed, 2012-07-25 13:00 — Lago1 (not verified)

We might agree that making an indirect reference to a recently deceased public figure might not be appropriate; but it is certainly not true that pancreatitis hits everybody equally at middle age. It affects active homosexuals and those with excessive alcohol consumption disproportionately. This means that life style can indeed play a role, although (and the Bishop states this) not always.

In a sense this article only goes to vindicate the Tartaglia's point.

Thu, 2012-07-26 00:11 — Rev Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

".....but it is certainly not true that pancreatitis hits everybody equally at middle age. It affects active homosexuals...."

Rubbish!

Fri, 2012-07-27 18:25 — Lago1 (not verified)

Graeme,

Its just that sort of unreasoned head in the sand attitude that was being highlighted.

Simply shouting "rubbish" does not change the reality of the fact that pancreatitis is very much linked to HIV (and HIV treatment). As rates of HIV typically exceed 1 in 10 among gay men in the UK then it is very clear that pancreatitis most definitely does have an increased association with homosexuality in this part of the world.

For this reason, gay men, particularly if they already know they are HIV positive, should certainly make sure they seek medical advice if they experience stomach pain, particularly above the belly button, that shoots through to the back.

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:21 — JAMES DOWNEY (not verified)

Proves my point? Mr LAGO1 is still top of views. WHY?

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:22 — Keir

Whether the point is vindicated or not, it remains true that, since Constantine's 'vision' and 'conversion', no senior Catholic has ever made public utterance without hypocrisy and totalitarian purpose.

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:18 — Keir

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:17 — JAMES DOWNEY (not verified)

Why is this post first in the view?????

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:16 — JAMES DOWNEY (not verified)

Why is this comment given priority? I thought comments were chronologically most recently posted?????

Wed, 2012-07-25 14:15 — JAMES DOWNEY (not verified)

Why is this comment given priorty? I thought comments were chronologically most recently posted?????

Wed, 2012-07-25 13:57 — Keir

Wed, 2012-07-25 13:09 — Lucidus (not verified)

From NHS web site: Pancreatitis, acute - Causes

Acute pancreatitis is poorly understood and there is much about the condition that remains unknown. For example, it is still unclear what triggers the inflammation inside the pancreas or why some people have the mild form of the condition and others have the severe form.
Trypsin

One theory is that acute pancreatitis is caused when something goes wrong with a chemical called trypsin. Trypsin is an enzyme that is produced by the pancreas and is used to break down the proteins in food to aid digestion.
When trypsin is produced by the pancreas, it remains in an ‘inactive’ state and has no digestive properties. It is not until it is moved out of the pancreas and into the intestines that it becomes active and is able to start breaking down proteins.
The theory suggests that something causes trypsin to become active while it is still in the pancreas, making it break down its own cells. In other words, the pancreas starts trying to digest itself, which causes it to become irritated and inflamed.
Alcohol consumption

It is not fully understood how alcohol causes the pancreas to become inflamed. One theory is that the ethanol molecules in alcohol interfere with the normal workings of the cells of the pancreas, causing them to activate trypsin prematurely.
Whatever the cause, there is a clear link between alcohol use and acute pancreatitis, and the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk.
A very large study found that people who regularly drank more than 35 units of alcohol a week were four times more likely to develop acute pancreatitis than people who never drank alcohol (35 units is equivalent to drinking around 16 cans of strong lager or four bottles of wine a week).
Binge drinking, which is drinking a lot of alcohol in a short period of time, is thought to increase your risk of developing acute pancreatitis.
Gallstones

Gallstones are hard pieces of stone-like material that can form if your bile (digestive juices) has too much cholesterol in it. Sometimes a gallstone can move out of the gallbladder and block the openings (ducts) to the pancreas.
It is thought that the blockage causes a disruption in the chemical reactions that occur within the pancreas. This could lead to the activation of trypsin inside the pancreas and trigger the process of inflammation.
See the Health A-Z topic about gallstones for more information.
Other causes

Other, less common, causes of acute pancreatitis include:
accidental damage to the pancreas that occurs during a type of surgery known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which is used to remove gallstones or examine the pancreas or surrounding tissue
an unexpected side effect of certain types of medication in a small number of people, such as some type of antibiotics or chemotherapy medication
a viral infection, such as mumps or measles
Risk factors for severe pancreatitis

Little is known about why some people develop the severe form of acute pancreatitis. Several researchers have studied case files to see whether they could spot factors that make a person more likely to develop severe acute pancreatitis.
The results of this research strongly suggest that the following risk factors increase your risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis:
being 70 years of age or over
being obese - a person is considered obese if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
having two or more alcoholic drinks a day
smoking
Researchers have also discovered that people with a specific genetic mutation, known as the MCP-1 mutation, are eight times more likely to develop severe acute pancreatitis than the population at large. A genetic mutation is where the instructions that are found in all living cells become scrambled, resulting in a genetic disorder or a change in characteristics.

Does not appear to mention homosexuality.

Fri, 2012-07-27 12:42 — bywynyrefail (not verified)

It doesn't mention homosexuality, but it does mention alcohol being the greatest risk factor in developing pancreatitis.

It is generally accepted that homosexual males can be about 3 times more likely to develop alcohol dependency than the rest of the population. (Just search for 'gay men and alcoholism'.)

Fri, 2012-07-27 13:32 — Lucidus (not verified)

Your citation of a paper in a peer-reviewed journal please.

Or we might think you're just talking out of your arse.

Wed, 2012-07-25 12:41 — JAMES DOWNEY (not verified)

Let us not be too philosophical, analytical or (whichever word best describes the use of a modicum of intelligence), there are many people like this guy. The main danger is presented by the fact that he is awaiting elevation to the top of a totem pole - the archbishoprick (intended) of Glasgow. Individual Roman Catholics allow creatures like Tartaglia to "pontificate" (directly through the media and, vicariously through their priests in the pulpit every Sunday), their "un-Christ-like " views". May we hear from some of these "believers" what they think? My mother and father were among the believers but refused to answer my teenage questions during life, and cannot now, being dead.

Wed, 2012-07-25 11:56 — Gerry Tierney (not verified)

.....

He was my old priest when I went to St. Mary's in Duntocher.

He was always really nice.

Just goes to show that there's madness and lunacy behind even the most pleasant facade, especially when religion is involved.

Wed, 2012-07-25 11:04 — DMyers

I actually know Tartaglia. Well, I did do when I was unfortunate enough to be a Catholic. He was the parish priest in my local church in the years before I left home at 18, and I can honestly say that I was never bowled over by his level of intelligence. He is a very, very stupid man, which is what is apparently the essential criterion for advancement within the church's hierarchy.

And as others have pointed out, the church has a great problem with sexuality, insofar as great numbers of priests seem to think that celibacy involves sexually abusing children. They really do need to put their own house in order before attacking anyone else.

Wed, 2012-07-25 10:59 — Keir

What might be supposed to create, in educated persons, cognitive dissonance of a terminal variety is co-existence of socialism, or social democracy, or democracy, with Roman Catholicism.

Wed, 2012-07-25 10:53 — Juneau Alaska (not verified)

I didn't know there was a Westboro Baptist Church franchise in Glasgow.

Despicable.

Wed, 2012-07-25 10:52 — Rev Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

Rather stupid and ignorant remarks. As my first introduction to sex was as a naive and unwilling teenager by an RC priest, the hypocrisy and cant of people like Tartaglia makes my blood boil. The Archdiocese of Glasgow has a Facebook page for anyone who want to greet the new Archbishop and perhaps - like me - invite him to start his new ministry by offering an apology. No doubt I will get messages from some of the devout telling me to "mind my own business".

Wed, 2012-07-25 10:03 — Nietoperz (not verified)

Dear Archbishop of Glasgow (and to paraphrase the late Bill Hicks): straight people die every day.

Wed, 2012-07-25 09:33 — Derek northcote (not verified)

Yes Bishop.

Being gay can kill you.

And the reasons for this is having to spends ones life constantly being told by bigots like you that we are not worth the skin we walk in therefore increasing the likelihood of depression.

This virgin in a dress is not fit for his post.