Dermot Kehoe has struggled to move forward since the untimely death of his partner, David Cairns, a member of Parliament who passed away from pancreatitis last May. But grief turned to outrage after the new Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow made a speech suggesting Cairn’s sexuality contributed to his demise.
At a conference on religious freedom and equality at Oxford in April, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia (right) made an unprompted attack on Cairns (below), himself a former priest: “Recently in Scotland there was a gay Catholic MP who died at the age of 44 or so and nobody said anything and why his body should just shut down at that age,” said Tartaglia. “Obviously he could have had a disease which would have killed anyone, but you seem to hear so many stories about this kind of thing. But society won’t address it.”
Tartaglia, 61 added, “If what I have heard is true about the relationship between physical and mental health of gay men… then society has been very quiet about it.”
A spokesman for the cleric explained there was “no offense or judgement intended in his words” but Kehoe said they added to the “grief and pain” he and Cairn’s family have endured.
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Speaking to BBC Radio’s Good Morn
ing Scotland, Kehoe lashed out at Tartaglia: “The Archbishop-elect brought up David Cairns himself. He wasn’t asked about him, he chose to bring him up and essentially he implied that David’s death was due in some way homosexuality and his being gay. This has not only upset me and David’s family, but it added to our grief and pain and he hasn’t shown any contrition for doing this.”
Most galling is the fact that the remarks apparently came from left field, with the intention of undermining current efforts at ratifying marriage equality in Scotland.
“[The Archbishop] volunteered this information. It wasn’t something he was asked about specifically,” Kehoe said. “He’s taking a personal tragedy, he’s applying a layer of ignorance of the situation and prejudice on the top, and then trying to influence the government of Scotland with it,” against same-sex marriage.
Remind us not to have His Excellency give the eulogy at our funeral. Gilbert Gottfried or Ann Coulter could probably do a better job.
Photos: Diocese of Paisley, Shaun Anderson
Analog
What a shitbag.
Cam
A spokesman for the cleric explained there was “no offense or judgement intended in his words”
This reminds me of when the people defending Carrie Prejean said that what she said was ok because she said “No Offence”.
His statement was a judgement. Claiming that there is no judgement in the words means nothing when the statement itself is to the contrary.
Also, funny how the archbishop looks like he is in drag make-up.
Robert in NYC
And this fat ugly f__k used erroneous information propagated by none other than the American Family Research Institute, a hate group identifed by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It’s too late, Scotland has already given the finger to the Roman cult. It’s going ahead to legalize equal marriage.
Michael
How ironic. The good Nelly Archbishop appears to be at least ten times gayer than the Parliament member. Go figure.
Ted TampaBay
Years ago, when I was dating an Anglican priest, he was very briefly involved in the conservative Anglican/Episcopal church movement that condemned the ordination of women, the revisions to the Book of Common Prayer, abortion, gays, and other theological hair splittings. Many of the clerics in this movement were gayer than lavender vestments and some were even living openly with their “friends.” After attending one of their meetings, my priest friend said it was shameful that these self-righteous conservatives were condemning others and holding them to a different standard when they themselves were tacitly violating at least one of those standards. He never again attended one of those meetings describing them as “un-Christ-like” and “crypto-Roman Catholics.”
Jerry6
To paraphrase Shakespear; “Me thinks the Bishop doest protest too much”.
Nice try, Reverend; you look more queer than thannt.
MACDONALDBANK
Faxing Glasgow ….
Being black, left-handed or being gay is just as natural. Bibles and the torah which includes leviticus 18:22 should be immediately banned for promoting hatred against minorities; namely the gay community and the crosses removed from all schools and churches.
The evil writings in Leviticus 18:22 against gays depict; rules for temple rituals or “P” … Priestly Rules & expanded by the pope; homophobes and religious frauds to attack the gay community and never meant to apply to the public but to priests. Leviticus exists in the old testament & torah.
“It is written; so therefore it shall be? We are the chosen people? Such a wicked fantasy.” To see the religious lunatics manipulate government and our lives is shameful.
It is a sometimes rare occurrence to fall in Love and to hold that person in your heart and be loved in return … it is something that should be celebrated! If it is between two guys or girls all the better. It takes even more courage to defend that LOVE!
MACDONALDBANK
http://www.HolyFaux.com
MACDONALDBANK
Christianity is basically a fiction which turned out to be one of the most hateful & evil concoctions ever perpetrated on the world. Christ was nothing but an ancient con artist! One day Bernie Madoff could be called a prophet and even declared a saint — by a lunatic pope. St. Bernie Madoff. He was a great profit … believe it; if you may! Einstein stated in a letter recently auctioned that the bible was a collection of primitive legends. He said believing in God was childish and he as a Jew is no different than another person and not chosen by God. Many theologians state quite correctly that the birth; crucifixion; resurrection and other elements of christianity actually didn’t even happen!
This holier than thou – written so there it shall be — fallacy; must be stopped. It is a criminal offence to cause harm onto others physically or with written items … the bible and torah have been getting away with this for ages. This bogus religious filth should be banned. It exists as a tax exempt structure which discriminates against human rights. The pope, bishops and mormons are cult members promoting discrimination against minorities. Perhaps religious establishments have pushed too far from San Francisco to Washington — and it may backfire to such a degree that the churches should be shut down!
I won't grow up
This is a statement coming from a person who works for a (for lack of a better word) cult, that hasn’t advanced their thinking since the Spanish inquisition (sp?). The same group that looked the other way as 10’s of thousands of children were savaged by their “employees”. I was raised and educated by these traitors to the faith, and I can tell you, the catholic church is no different than any other other big business. Their main motive is profit above all else. These lawsuits are hurting the bottom line and the CEO in the white dress is not going to let profits drop.
This be-rouged little papest asshole in the red dress has tried to attack a dead man’s memory and has only made him and his heretical “religion” look like the witch burners they are. Remember these are the same people who looked the other way when Hitler came to power until he came for them too.
irish
Nasty bastard. At this stage of the game, I have come to the conclusion that unmarried or ostensibly straight men who attack gay men are trying to deflect attention from themselves.
After all, the guy who made the comments is a member of the largest child raping society in the world, most of his male colleagues are gay, and he wears a dress and jewelry that any self respecting drag queen would tear her hair out for. What he really needs is to be spit roasted by two super endowed guys, sans lube.
David Ehrenstein
@MACDONALDBANK: SING OUT LOUISE!!!!
Brickman
Just out him already….
B
Other sources list the cause of death as acute pancreatitis. According to http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-pancreatitis “Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that occurs over a short period of time. In the majority of cases, acute pancreatitis is caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol use. Other causes include medications, infections, trauma, metabolic disorders, and surgery. In about 10% to 15% of people with acute pancreatitis, the cause is unknown. The severity of acute pancreatitis may range from mild abdominal discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. However, the majority of people with acute pancreatitis (more than 80%) recover completely after receiving the appropriate treatment.” There is no indication that being gay is a risk factor.
Perhaps the archbishop didn’t blame the death on heavy alcohol use, whether true or not in Mr. Cairns case, because he’d implicitly have to blame the death on being Scottish: according to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/Alcohol (an official web site), “Alcohol sales data suggests that consumption has increased by 11% since 1994, with enough alcohol being sold for every adult in Scotland to exceed weekly recommended limits for men each and every week since at least 2000. In 2010, 23% more alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland than in England & Wales, the widest gap to date. The impact of this excessive consumption is estimated to cost Scots £3.6 billion each year, that’s equivalent to an incredible £900 for each and every adult in Scotland. Hospital discharges have quadrupled since the early 1980s and deaths directly related to alcohol misuse doubled.”
Regardless, the archbishop doesn’t know what he is talking about. I’ll refrain from expressing that thought in more colorful terms.
jack
Is Tartaglia a Scotish name or is he a foreign import to govern Scotish Catholics?
Alexi3
What a particularly ignorant and hateful comment to make at any time but particularly insensitive at a time a family is extremely vulnerable grieving. Shame on the Archbishop and the Pope for elevating such a man to his post.
Schlukitz
@Cam:
Who says the Archbishop isn’t in drag make-up? LOL
Brandon
I thought religion’s line was that they bring joy, happiness and peace unto the world. What a crock of shit that is. Defrock the son of a bitch and then throw his nelly ass into a Turkish prison for good measure.
Robert in NYC
This ugly old closet queen has just announced he’ll be prepared to go to jail over it. Good, then he’ll find out what being a bitch is all about and might end up enjoying it. Bring it on, dumbass!
KARUADAM
Bloody Religious and Christianity, is the world enemies:
Ewan
Apparently it’s still acceptable to imply “it might have been the AIDS” in this country if you’re wearing a frock. The thing is, this bellend, and his boss, the odious Keith O’Brian are utterly out of step with their own congregations. Most Scottish catholics are in favour of same sex relationships, contraception, abortion and a slew of other things that the Bishop of Rome aint to keen on. Makes me wonder why they bother, to be honest.
Papa ratzi
This archbishop looks like Mrs. Doubtfire !
B
No. 21 · Ewan wrote, “Apparently it’s still acceptable to imply “it might have been the AIDS” in this country if you’re wearing a frock.”
Well, wearing a frock makes it more acceptable than wearing a white coat (i.e., being a physician who would be expected to have some idea as to the likely causes of acute pancreatitis). If you are an archbishop, the only thing about the real world that you are expected to know is perhaps how to make sure the church continues to have a positive cash flow.
Blah, Blah...huh?
@David Ehrenstein: That’s like the third time that I remember where you’ve done that. “Sing out Louise” should now be retired, and you, but most importantly WE, can all move on. I know you’re supposedly a big deal as a wag of sorts to some, try to remember why and pick it up a little, OK? This is getting ridiculous, David.