The Christian community in the West of Scotland and beyond owes a significant debt to John Fitzsimmons.

"Big John", as he was affectionately known, was a giant both in physical stature and intellectual prowess.

Much has been documented concerning his academic achievements but he also excelled in the pastoral ministry.

It would be no exaggeration to say that he was loved and respected by his parishioners due to the sensitive and caring nature they found in their kindly priest.

He was especially sympathetic to those in any kind of need and possessed an incredible ability to cut straight to the chase in solving a problemLike all true intellectuals he wore his great erudition lightly and did not stand on ceremony.

He was the only Scottish priest ever to address the entire American Hierarchy and yet found himself equally at home arranging a local baptism for his parishioners.

In 1981 he wrote a "Guide to the Lectionary" becoming the definitive manual for those engaged in understanding the three cycles of the Church's year.

In lectures , he was able to talk on the Sacred Scriptures for hours on end without using a single note and yet he never repeated himself.

He described oral examinations on the Scriptures with his students as "a conversation of mutual interest between two parties", thus stripping an intrepid encounter with a world expert on the Bible of any pretentiousness.

When he became rector of the Scots College in Rome, he discussed the appointment with his elderly parents, Tommy and Bessie noting "I had to find out how my parents would react but they said what they always have said--"If that's what the Church wants then so be it"."

An only child, it was a typical quality on his part to consult how his promotion would affect those nearest to him.

His thoughtfullness was hinted at in how he signed off his weekly Sunday programme on Radio Scotland, "Take care of yourself, but more importantly, take care of one another!".

Big John also liked a laugh and was self-deprecating, sharing a joke about himself in the Herald Diary a few years ago about the time he was celebrating Mass while on water tablets.

He warned his parishioners in advance that should the need arise he would leave the altar to respond to nature's call.

This duly happened and unfortunately he forgot to turn off his radio microphone. John loved to tell this story.

Another time on his day off he went to the cinema with his father to find a drunk seated immediately behind who recounted every word of dialogue, having been in the cinema all day.

Big John escorted him out telling him in no uncertain terms what would happen to him if he spoiled the plot!

I once asked him of all the passages in the Bible which was his favourite quote. He replied from the Prophet Daniel: "The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue as bright as stars for all eternity". John Fitzsimmons will be the entire Milky Way.

Michael McLaughlin