Cardinal Hume, as his friends remember him
The nation mourned when the Archbishop of Westminster died 10 years ago. Here, the people who knew him best recall his holiness and humour

12 June 2009

Cardinal Basil Hume, the ninth Archbishop of Westminster, died on June 17 1999 (PA Photo)

Brenda Roberts

As an 18-year old, straight from school, the idea of working in Archbishop's House seemed somewhat daunting, but from the moment I first met Cardinal Hume, when he popped into the room while I was being interviewed, he was so kind and gentle I felt at ease from the start.

I actually asked who he was after he left the room, much to the amusement of the then Fr John Crowley, because I had a picture of Cardinal Heenan in my mind and so had not recognised the tall priest with the white hair. He was so friendly and unassuming I had no notion he was the cardinal. After that I did think I would not get the job.

Although working for the private secretary, I would regularly take dictation from the Cardinal when his secretary was on leave, and I have to say, once I got over my initial nerves, I loved every minute of it: from having to write down, in shorthand, Latin phrases which the cardinal did not spell out or explain, to names of people that he would spell - like D-E-N-I-S!

I remember his great sense of fun and on an occasion when I realised voices echoed up from our office below, I asked if he could hear us upstairs and in particular if he could hear my none-too-quiet laugh. His response was immediate: "I have had complaints from passing airlines!"

Cardinal Hume was truly a very holy, humble and prayerful man. I feel truly blessed to have been part of his household for most of his reign, to see and experience his great sense of fun, which was ever-present.

Brenda Roberts was part of his office from 1979 until his death


Bishop John Crowley

my abiding memory is of a really attractive human being, rooted in God (amid all the struggles of faith) but really nice to know on the human level. Approachable, interested in you, with a good sense of humour. And instinctively on the side of the underdog.

Though his background was what might be called privileged, he had that priceless common touch which puts people at ease. Times without number I saw him meeting parishioners after Mass. In a crowded hall there would only be a few moments for each person but, remarkably, each would feel really special. Above all it was the eye contact and the full attention to you for those few moments. He never looked at the next person in the queue. And it made all the difference. What often astounded me was his ability to remember faces and even names across the years.

The sense of humour was never far from the surface. Apart perhaps from times of acute stress when anxiety and tension inevitably had the upper hand for a while.

I remember on one occasion Hume and a French cardinal jointly compèring a reception of the great and good at archbishop's house. They resembled a class double act who had their distinguished audience in repeated gales of laughter.

Many, perhaps, who were only familiar with the public persona might be surprised to hear of this high-spirited side of this well-rounded human being who knew when to be serious and when to be spirited.

He was fun to live with despite the heavy burdens of office. Mercifully, he had other interests outside the ecclesiastical world: his keen interest in sport, his personal friends, his liking for slapstick comedy programmes, music and the joys of nature.

Bishop Crowley was the Cardinal's private secretary from 1976 to 1982


Fr Pat Browne

the man was exceptionally gifted. His capacity for friendship and making people feel special is well-known. He was warm and welcoming on a one-to-one basis but shy in expressing closeness in public. [Westminster auxiliary] Bishop Guazzelli used to say having the sign of peace at Mass with Basil was like opening the fridge door! He was caught out once or twice at charismatic events and felt very awkward to find himself holding hands with other men as they prayed or sang.

He had a very brilliant mind and could work up a subject in a few days, know it extremely well in its detail and engage in constructive dialogue with the experts on that subject. It was because of this, for example, that his work for the Guildford Four was heeded by the then Home Secretary who had to allow their appeal.

He was gracious in living and the same in facing death. He had some fear in his final days but his trust in God's faithfulness was greater than any fear.

He continues to be missed by those who knew and loved him. He is also missed by many who only saw him on television but liked what they saw and felt inspired by him.

Fr Pat Browne was the Cardinal's private secretary from 1985 to 1989


Fr Michael Seed

basil hume was an inspiration not only to Britain but to Europe, where he was re-elected on many occasions president of the bishops' conferences. He would always have time for everybody. In some ways perhaps he ought to have been a Franciscan.

I firmly believe that Basil was a saint. I humbly ask that on this 10th anniversary, and given the extremely close relationship of Basil with Vincent Nichols, His Grace would formally write to the Holy See for the Cause to be opened. And I am sure that he will himself celebrate the sung Mass on that day if he can. I know that many people would be present. I would urge the powers that be to appoint as postulator the equally saintly bishop John Crowley.

The Cardinal's death in the middle of June is wonderful because around his feast day we'll have strawberries and cream. June 17 will be the feast of St Basil the Less.

Fr Michael Seed SA was ecumenical adviser to the Cardinal from 1987 to 1999


Sally McAllister

Work was busy, never dull and constantly new. As the years went by he took on more responsibility in the Church at a national and international level. And yet I remember the Cardinal as a sensitive man, with a truly pastoral heart; a person of evident goodness, intent on searching for God and for holiness.

Cardinal Hume touched the lives of many through the spiritual insights in his books and in his preaching, the fruit of a deep interior life. Although he had a particular love for the young, all manner of people felt at ease in his presence. He was able to get alongside those who were experiencing moments of darkness or of suffering. Many felt understood to an extraordinary depth. Undoubtedly he was a mystical soul but he also had a great sense of humour which he maintained right to the end.

His simplicity and lack of pretence endeared him to many. His love for people was not confined to gestures to individuals but in working with others in need at home and abroad. His concern for justice also led him to work for those who were the victims of miscarriages. This quintessential English gentleman was a good friend to Ireland. Those years were a privileged time and deeply formative for me on a spiritual and personal level. As so many others, I have a great deal to be grateful to him for.

Sally McAllister was the Cardinal's secretary from 1979 to 1999