THE incoming archbishop of Scotland's largest Catholic congregation has said he regrets commenting on a late Labour MP whose early death the churchman linked to his sexuality.

Glasgow's archbishop-elect Philip Tartaglia also said he hoped his apology had been accepted by all those offended by the remarks about David Cairns, which were made public on the day he was announced as the successor to Mario Conti.

His comments come amid further speculation of more changes at the top of Scotland's Catholic hierarchy. Another bishop turns 75 this week and is believed to have demanded he is retired with immediate effect.

Bishop Tartaglia's comments about Mr Cairns, which were made in April but became public on the day it was announced he would replace archbishop Conti, have engulfed the Catholic Church in a public row the level of which has been unseen in Scotland for a number of years.

At the Oxford University event on religious freedom, the outgoing Bishop of Paisley linked the death of former priest and Scotland Office minister Mr Cairns at 44, who died due to acute pancreatitis last year, to his gay lifestyle.

In an interview with the newspaper run by the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Bishop Tartaglia expressed regret for the comments.

The interview in Flourish claims that, while "the new archbishop has shown he is not afraid to promote Christian values in the face of vociferous opposition, he has been embarrassed by the furore caused by his unguarded remark".

The bishop is quoted as saying: "I wish I had never alluded to Mr Cairns. I am very sorry for the offence it caused. I have made a sincere apology and hope that it is accepted."

On defending and promoting Christian teachings in the public arena, he added: "I would hope we can have reasoned and robust discussions while speaking in a respectful and civilised manner."

Bishop Tartaglia also said the Church must overcome any embarrassment about expressing its views.

He states: "When our beliefs and practices are routinely ridiculed, the instinct is to keep the head down. That's understandable."

Meanwhile, speculation is growing that further changes to the Catholic hierarchy are imminent, with the Bishop of Motherwell, Joe Devine, turning 75 tomorrow.

Under Catholic law, all bishops must submit their resignation letters when they turn 75, although they can be kept on for several more years, as has happened with Mario Conti in Glasgow.

However, several sources have told The Herald that Bishop Devine has informed the Vatican he will not be staying on, creating a pressing need for the huge Catholic diocese covering Lanarkshire.

One said: "Bishop Devine's been doing a farewell tour of the diocese, going to parishes and schools and saying his goodbyes.

"He's got no engagements lined up in his official diary and is determined to go as soon as possible.

"Of course the Vatican has to agree to this but there are recent examples of bishops in Scotland saying they've had enough and have to go."

Bishop Tartaglia will be installed as the Archbishop of Glasgow in early September, leaving the Diocese of Paisley with a vacancy.

The Diocese of Dunkeld is also without a bishop after the Pope accepted Vincent Logan's resignation in June due to health grounds.

John Cunningham, the Bishop of Galloway, and Cardinal Keith O'Brien both turn 75 early next year.