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Italy honours Glasgow archbishop Italy honours Glasgow archbishop
(about 6 hours later)
One of Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic clergymen has been awarded a major Italian honour.One of Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic clergymen has been awarded a major Italian honour.
The Most Rev Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow, has received the Star of Italian Solidarity.The Most Rev Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow, has received the Star of Italian Solidarity.
The award is in recognition of Archbishop Conti's services to promoting friendship and cultural exchange between Scotland and Italy.The award is in recognition of Archbishop Conti's services to promoting friendship and cultural exchange between Scotland and Italy.
He was given the award in a ceremony in Hamilton on the eve of his 30th anniversary as a bishop.He was given the award in a ceremony in Hamilton on the eve of his 30th anniversary as a bishop.
Archbishop Conti, 73, was born in Scotland but his grandparents come from Northern Tuscany and Liguria.Archbishop Conti, 73, was born in Scotland but his grandparents come from Northern Tuscany and Liguria.
He said: "I am deeply honoured. I have always been proud of both my Scottish and Italian heritage, and I see this as a sign of the firm bonds of friendship and co-operation which distinguish relations between our countries."He said: "I am deeply honoured. I have always been proud of both my Scottish and Italian heritage, and I see this as a sign of the firm bonds of friendship and co-operation which distinguish relations between our countries."
Annual Gathering Annual gathering
The archbishop is hoping to oversee the building of a memorial to the Scots-Italian community beside Glasgow Cathedral next year.The archbishop is hoping to oversee the building of a memorial to the Scots-Italian community beside Glasgow Cathedral next year.
He has also arranged an annual gathering of the community every All Souls' Day, on 2 November, which has become a major event for Scots-Italians.He has also arranged an annual gathering of the community every All Souls' Day, on 2 November, which has become a major event for Scots-Italians.
The Solidarieta Italiana honour is the highest grade of the order that can be granted to an Italian or foreign citizen and was presented by Italy's Consul General in Scotland, Dottore Andrea Macchioni.The Solidarieta Italiana honour is the highest grade of the order that can be granted to an Italian or foreign citizen and was presented by Italy's Consul General in Scotland, Dottore Andrea Macchioni.
Dottore Macchioni said: "Archbishop Conti has done with passion and generosity a very great deal for supporting aid and social activities and promoting solidarity and cohesion within the Italian community, for which his grace is a leading point of reference."Dottore Macchioni said: "Archbishop Conti has done with passion and generosity a very great deal for supporting aid and social activities and promoting solidarity and cohesion within the Italian community, for which his grace is a leading point of reference."