Thomas Winning

Personal

Vocation

Traits

Scottish cardinal and Archbishop of Glasgow, Winning was often outspoken, and unafraid to publicly expound the Roman Church's understanding of moral matters such as abortion, homosexuality, and ecclesiastical matters such as the celibacy of priests. He also began a scheme to give financial support to young mothers, as an alternative to abortion. He rejected a plan to renovate and extend St Andrew's Cathedral, as the money would be better spent on the poor of the Archdiocese. He played a major role in bringing Pope John Paul II to Britain in 1982, a visit that was almost called off because of the Falklands Conflict that coincided with the visit. Winning is thought to have convinced the Pope to continue with the visit which was the first official visit to the United Kingdom by a Pope. Winning was only the second Scottish-based cardinal since the Reformation, and was the first to address the General Assembly of the (Presbyterian) Chruch of Scotland (twice). Noted for his informality, intelligence and quick wit, he was not given to pomp ceremony. He was personally revered as a man of the people. Link to Wikipedia