Cardinal Winning dies

Cardinal Thomas Winning died suddenly at home today after apparently suffering a second heart attack.

The 76-year-old leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics had left hospital less than 48 hours before where he had been treated for a heart attack.

Monsignor James Clancy said the cardinal had woken up 'bright and cheery' this morning at his home in Newlands, Glasgow.

He told a news conference in Glasgow that Cardinal Winning had just finished breakfast when his housekeeper of 30 years, Isobel McInnes, found him unconscious on his bedroom floor.

He said she called a friend of the cardinal's who was a heart specialist, and alerted the emergency services.

But despite attempts to resuscitate him at home and at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, he was pronounced dead just before 10am.

Mgr Clancy revealed that the Papal Nuncio in London was informed of the Cardinal's death and he in turn had contacted the Pope.

A body known as the College of Consultors, a group of 12 priests who the cardinal had chosen for this purpose in accordance to church law, will meet tomorrow to elect his successor.

Cardinal Winning gained world renown when he offered money and support to pregnant women as an alternative to abortion.

Politically left-of-centre, he was also unflinchingly conservative in church matters.

He spoke out against homosexuality and never offered any support for campaigners for married priests.

Today tributes poured into the controversial churchman.

The leader of the Catholic Church, Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, said he was 'deeply saddened' by his death.

'He was an outstanding leader of the church in Scotland and beyond. His humour, dedication, utter loyalty and unstinting defence of the Catholic church will long be remembered.

'I deeply mourn a close friend. Catholics in England and Wales will join with those in Scotland in prayer for the repose of the soul of a good shepherd and pastor, may he rest in peace.'

Chancellor Gordon Brown, MP for Dunfermline East, said: 'Cardinal Winning will be sorely missed. He was a great Scot and a great Christian. I was proud to know him and his great achievements will be remembered for many years to come.'

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