Scottish Catholic Observer

St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley was full to overflowing for the funeral of Bishop John Mone today, a sign of the love and affection in which he was held.

Bishop John Keenan was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Funeral Mass, accompanied by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Bishop Brian McGee and other Scottish Bishops, along with the priests of the Diocese of Paisley and the other Scottish dioceses.

Many of the Bishop Mone’s nieces, nephews and other relatives were also present along with a great many of the faithful of the Diocese of Paisley.

The Church of Scotland was represented by Rev Ann McCool, Moderator of Greenock & Paisley Presbytery, and Rev Alan Birss, Minister of Paisley Abbey, with Civic dignitaries attending the funeral will include George Adam MSP and representatives of the three local authorities which comprise the Diocese of Paisley,  Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

In his homily Bishop Keenan said that ‘John Mone followed the way of Christ from his baptism’.

“It was a difficult one at times, studying for the priesthood in post-war Paris, on rations with short supply of lighting and heat,” he said. “ Ordained priest and returning home to Scotland the Way of Christ took him through St Ninian’s, Knightswood, for twenty three years to Our Lady and St George’s, Penilee, for four and St Joseph’s, Tollcross, as parish priest for five.”

He said, Bishop Mone was ‘always unassuming and attentive and left an indelible mark in all of those parishes’.

“His incredible memory for people, names and places is almost legendary and you wonder if there was not something as much divine as natural about it,” he said. “A parishioner from Knightswood, whom he met over twenty years after leaving the parish, was amazed how he could name all her family members, their home address and even the colour of their tenement door.”

As Bishop of Paisley ‘his humble, joyful method, with affection returned by the faithful, opened up Paisley diocese to the life of Christ,” he went on.

“He loved to gather with his people in celebrating important stages in their lives like baptisms, confirmations, weddings and ordinations,” Bishop Keenan said. “He particularly loved our Chrism Masses and seeing our Cathedral full. We give thanks to God for Bishop John Mone -a brother, priest, bishop and, above all a disciple- loved by God and beloved of his people who have had a shepherd among us just like Christ Our Lord, Our Only Saviour and Our Redeemer.”