The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, have paid tribute to Bishop Vincent Malone, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Liverpool.
Bishop Malone died, aged 88, on the morning of Monday 18 May 2020 at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. He was admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 a week earlier.
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said:
“Bishop Vincent had retired from his role as auxiliary bishop when I arrived in Liverpool six years ago, but he was still a very active member of the archbishop’s council and a trustee of the archdiocese.
“No report or set of accounts was safe from Bishop Vin’s eye for detail. As a young priest he had trained as teacher of mathematics, and numbers and diagrams certainly contributed to his view of the world or at least of the Church, but it would be very wrong to portray him as a person who was unfeeling.
“His mild and polite manner found its fulfilment in his ministry as a priest and bishop which was characterised by unfailing kindness and respect to all those he met and served. Bishop Vincent told me that he enjoyed being an auxiliary bishop because it kept him close to people.
“He made a massive contribution to the life of the local church and city as dean at the Metropolitan cathedral, chaplain to Liverpool University and chair of numerous committees including the early ecumenical bodies which laid the foundations for the harmony we enjoy between churches and people of faith in these days.
“In life, Bishop Vincent Malone was peace with God and his creation, may he now be welcomed by his Lord into a place of peace and light.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said:
“As a fairly young priest I was sent to live for a few years at the Clergy House of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool. Monsignor Vincent Malone was in charge.
“Above all I remember his endless patience to get right every aspect of the work of the Cathedral; his unfailing courtesy with every person he met, even those who were occasionally very difficult; his kindness to those in need who came to the door.
“He had a gentle rebuke for those who acted precipitously and a readiness himself to make amends. He offered warm hospitality without ever being ostentatious and a quiet witty conversation. He was a lovely man to be with.
“He served the Archdiocese unfailingly and the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, especially in our ministry in universities, in which he had considerable experience.
“We will miss him. We pray that he is received by our Heavenly Father with loving mercy and that he can look down upon us with an affectionate smile as he sees us still struggle to do our best. His service, his struggle is over. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
