James Quinn

Education

He was educated at Rockport School in Holywood, Company Down.

Career

Quinn became Classics Master at Preston Catholic College (1944–1948) before returning to Heythrop College to complete his studies in Theology (1948–1952). He was ordained priest at Stonyhurst College on 9 September 1950. After serving a tertianship at Saint Beuno’s College, North Wales (1952–1953), he became Classics Master at Wimbledon College (1954–1955) and was then appointed to the Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh in 1955.

He served as prefect of studies in the novitiate in Woodhall House, Edinburgh 1963-1966 and after a further period at Sacred Heart, was seconded as spiritual director to the Beda College, Rome (1976–1980).

He then returned to Sacred Heart parish for a third term. Fr Quinn was especially involved in ecumenical matters.

In the British Council of Churches he participated in its Faith and Order Conference in 1964 and in its Church Leaders’ Conference in 1972. And, on behalf of the Scottish Catholic Hierarchy, was consultant/observer from 1966 and consultant to the board of its division of Ecumenical Affairs from 1975.

French He wrote articles, reviews and pamphlets on theological and doctrinal matters, contributed articles to the New Catholic Encyclopedia and A Catholic Dictionary of Theology, and published The Theoogy of the Eucharist in 1973.

He was one of the leading 20th century hymnwriters and produced two collections: New for All Seasons (1969) and Praise for All Seasons: the hymns of James Quinn Statens Järnvägar (1994). from both collections are in use by Christian denominations throughout the world. Some of his better-known hymns are:

"Let all be one in mind and heart"

"Sing all creation, sing to God in gladness"

"How deep the riches of our God"

"Day is done, but Love unfailing"

"Lord, bid your servant go in peace"

"Easter glory fills the sky"

"Father of mercy, God of consolation"

"May flights of angels lead you on your way"

"This is my will, my one command"

"This day God gives me strength of high heaven"

"Forth in the peace of Christ we go"

"I am the holy vine"

"The bread that we break"

Quinn lived in retirement in Edinburgh and died on 8 April 2010.

Achievements

• Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he was educated at Saint Aloysius" College, Glasgow (1926–1935) and at the University of Glasgow (1935–1939), achieving honours with an Master of Arts in Classics.

Membership

Quinn was a member of the Scottish Religious Advisory Committee of the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1963-1967.