Scottish Catholic Observer

Catholics from across Scotland have united in mourning Bishop John Mone of Paisley who died last Friday at the age of 87.

A huge crowd was expected at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley today, October 21, for his Requiem Mass, as Scots of all creeds and none prepared to pay tribute to a much loved man, who his successor Bishop John Keenan called a ‘holy man of God who was a gentle and faithful pastor of his people.’

Bishop Keenan used Facebook last week to announce the ‘sad news that Bishop John Mone died peacefully just before 6am in the Holy Rosary Residence, Greenock. He was taken unwell an hour or so before and passed away tranquilly.’

“[He] was dearly loved by the faithful, clergy and religious of Paisley Diocese,” he went on. “May he rest in peace. Our condolences go to his family who will thank God for his good life along with the people of the diocese. Our heartfelt gratitude to Mother Stephen, the sisters and staff of the Holy Rosary Residence who cared for him lovingly to the end.”

Bishops’ tributes

Bishop Mone was the Bishop of Paisley from 1988-1998, an auxiliary bishop of Glasgow and priest of that diocese, and was well know for his work with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), Justice and Peace, the Pioneer movement, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Scotland’s deaf community, and Lourdes pilgrimages.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow said Bishop Mone’s death was ‘a loss to the entire Catholic Church in Scotland.’

“The diocesan communities of Paisley and Glasgow especially are united both in their unbounded esteem and affection for Bishop John, in their sadness at his passing, and in confident hope of his salvation,” he said. “As for myself, Bishop John was my predecessor in Paisley and lived in the diocese as bishop emeritus during my entire episcopal ministry there. He was a kindly and fatherly presence to me and I appreciated his support and advice. He will be very fondly remembered in Paisley by the entire diocesan community. May he rest in peace and may he soon intercede for us in the presence of the risen Lord whom he loved and served all his life as a priest and bishop.”

Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh said that Bishop Mone had always ‘distinguished himself as someone who has been close to the sick and the poor, especially to the young handicapped people traveling to Lourdes.’

“He also showed himself to be a loving and a wise pastor, and a good and holy priest,” he continued. “Bishop Mone was a pleasure to get to know, to listen to, he was also an exemplarily prayerful man and it was always a pleasure to meet him and to work with him. He goes, after a lengthy and slow illness, to a rich reward and I think many of the people of Glasgow and of Paisley will today feel deep gratitude for the ministry of Bishop John Mone. May he rest in peace.”

Bishop Stephen Robson of Dunkeld said: “Bishop John Mone. A truly good man gone to God. Courteous, unassuming, kind—a true shepherd!”

Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell said he would ‘remember Bishop John for his goodness and joy as a priest and bishop.’

“He seemed to be able to bring a wise fatherly understanding to whatever needed to be done,” he said. “As the president of SCIAF, I have been reminded today of his fine contribution to its work during his time as president. So it is good to be reminded of his deep compassion for the poor both abroad and here in Scotland. He is well remembered in Motherwell also for his leadership of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Pioneers Association.”

Transformative work

Alistair Dutton, SCIAF’s director, said the charity would ‘remember Bishop Mone with great fondness and gratitude for everything he did.’

“He was a fabulous man who always delighted in, and was proud of, this essential work of the Church, and worked tirelessly to make SCIAF the organisation it is today,” he said. “He was one of our earliest guardians, appointed chairman of the board of directors in 1974, and then bishop president and treasurer in 1985. Over many years, he travelled extensively to see the Church’s transformative work and stand in solidarity with the poor and oppressed in countries such as Sudan, India and El Salvador. He remained proud of SCIAF throughout his life and was eager to support our work in any way he could. We pray for the repose of his soul, confident that he is in a better place. May he rest in peace.”

The love and affection Catholics across Scotland held for Bishop Mone was shown by the overwhelming response to the news of his death on Facebook, with hundreds of people commenting on his ‘kindness,’ his ‘humblenesss,’ and his ‘goodness.’ The mood was summed up by Maria Scott who said: “A beautiful soul, heart and smile. We will not forget him. Rest in the peace and mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop John.”

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