Plenary, 20 Jun 2001
Meeting date: Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
In welcoming back Right Rev John Mone, Bishop of Paisley, to lead this week's time for reflection, I say to him that every party and every member in the chamber has found themselves on occasion applauding the statements of Cardinal Winning and on other occasions wholly disagreeing with them. He was a man of robust opinion on so many public issues, but he was someone who at all times enjoyed our respect.
This young Parliament has known what it is to lose a leader. On behalf of the Parliament, I convey to you and the Roman Catholic community in Scotland our heartfelt sympathies at your loss of such an outstanding leader. I invite you to lead us in time for reflection.
Right Rev John A Mone (Bishop of Paisley):
Thank you, Sir David, for those kind words about Cardinal Winning. On behalf of the Scottish Bishops Conference, I want to say how grateful we are to have been afforded this opportunity by the Scottish Parliament to share time for reflection.
At the Seattle special Olympic games some time ago, there were nine contestants in the 100 yards race and all of them were either physically or mentally disabled. The gun went off and they all set out. That is, all except one little boy who, in his excitement, stumbled and tumbled over a couple of times and lay there crying. The other eight heard him crying. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned round and went back—all eight of them. One little girl with Down's syndrome bent down, kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finishing line. Everyone in the stadium stood up and the cheering went on for several minutes. Why? Because deep down, we all know that what really matters is not so much winning for ourselves; what matters in this life is helping others to win, even if it means slowing down and changing course.
I know that Tom Winning would have loved that story. Apart from the pun on his name, which he always enjoyed, he really enjoyed helping the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society to win. I know also that the Cardinal's inspiration—and in a sense his manifesto—came from the first words of the Vatican Council document on the church in the modern world:
"The joy, the hope, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well."
He wanted to bring the Catholic church into the modern world and make its message relevant to peoples' lives. Cardinal Winning worked himself to death doing just that. May he rest in peace, and receive the reward of his labours.
We pray now in the Lord's own prayer to the Father of us all, which makes children of us all. I invite you to say aloud or silently this prayer that the Lord taught us, according to your own tradition.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Before we start stage 3 consideration of the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Bill, I am sure that members will join me in welcoming to the VIP gallery delegates from the 32nd annual conference of the British islands and Mediterranean region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. With them is the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon Helen Liddell MP. [Applause.]