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Father John Fitzsimmons

Obituary of Father John Fitzsimmons, priest and broadcaster; born 2 December, 1939, in Paisley; died 17 May, 2008, in Glasgow, aged 68.

"Im not some heretical priest. I'm just a man who thinks." So said the controversial but popular priest Father John Fitzsimmons, who, in a prominent career, upset many in the Catholic Church in Scotland and Rome. But his sheer erudition – allied to remarkable linguistic abilities – ensured that Fitzsimmons was respected and loved throughout by parishioners. His ability as a wordsmith was publicly demonstrated when Pope John Paul II visited Scotland in 1982. It was Fitzsimmons who wrote his finely worded oration at Bellahouston Park, which called on all the Scottish churches to walk "hand in hand" with the Pope.

As if to demonstrate his individuality, Fitzsimmons was a parish priest and rector of the Scots College in Rome, introduced The Greetings Programme on BBC Radio Scotland and was often heard on "Thought For the Day" on Radio 4's Today programme. He introduced The Greetings Programme on a Sunday morning with flair and understanding.

Full story at The Scotsman.