City priest dies after watching Celtic lose

Published on Friday 7 March 2008 09:31

TRIBUTES have been paid to a leading Edinburgh priest who died after watching Celtic crash out of the Champions League.

Monsignor David Gemmell had been in Barcelona to watch Gordon Strachan's side take on the Catalan giants on Tuesday night.

The 54-year-old, who was Administrator of the Capital's St Mary's Cathedral, had travelled along with thousands of other fans for Tuesday's glamour tie.

He took unwell after a meal with fellow priest, Father Hugh Purcell, on Wednesday night and was found dead the following morning.

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh said: "The Cardinal and Priests of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh were stunned to hear of the sudden death of Right Reverend Monsignor David Gemmell.

"He was on a short break in Barcelona to attend a football match, accompanied by his colleague, Fr Hugh Purcell.

"After a meal on Wednesday evening with Fr Purcell he let it be known that he felt unwell but did not need medical help. On Thursday morning, when he did not appear for breakfast, Fr Purcell contacted the hotel authorities and Monsignor Gemmell was found dead in his room."

Tributes have poured in for the cleric, who is known to have had a history of heart trouble.

Tycoon Sir Tom Farmer said he had known Monsignor Gemmell for 30 years.

He said: "I have known David since he became a priest in Edinburgh in 1978 and watched him grow and develop in the priesthood from a young curate to one of the most senior priests in the Archdiocese and the Administrator of St Mary's Cathedral.

"David was a great priest who loved his chosen role in life. He was always close to and involved in the lives of his immediate family and he cared greatly for all those parishioners he came to know in the many parishes he served – feelings which were widely reciprocated. I am pleased I had the opportunity to know him and I mourn his loss."

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, was said to be deeply shocked by the news.

Recently, the cleric accompanied the Cardinal on an official visit to China, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Yesterday, after being given the tragic news the Cardinal travelled to Fife to visit Monsignor Gemmell's elderly mother.

Monsignor Gemmell had been a keen athlete, who enjoyed rock climbing and canoeing. However, he was recently advised to cut down on his sporting activities following a heart scare.

A spokeswoman for Celtic Football Club said: "Clearly, we are stunned by the sudden passing of Monsignor Gemmell, a man who was a great supporter of Celtic and someone well known to the club.

"The thoughts of everyone at Celtic are with Monsignor Gemmell's relatives, friends, colleagues and congregation at this very difficult time."