John Fitzsimmons

{{short description|British priest and radio presenter}}

{{About|the radio presenter|the MP|John FitzSymond|the javelin thrower|John FitzSimons|the footballer and doctor|John Fitzsimons (footballer)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}

The Reverend John Fitzsimmons (2 December 1939, in Paisley – 17 May 2008, in Gourock) was a Scottish Roman Catholic priest and radio presenter who presented The Greetings radio program on BBC Radio Scotland for many years.{{cite news |title=BBC presenter dies after illness |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7408170.stm|publisher= BBC News |date=2008-05-19 |access-date=2008-06-16}}

John Fitzsimmons was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in 1939. He was ordained priest of the Diocese of Paisley in Rome in 1963. During his studies he earned degrees in philosophy (Ph.L), sacred theology (STL) and sacred scripture (LSS). Involved in broadcasting for more than 40 years, he had also served as the rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. In addition to his work at BBC Scotland, Fitzsimmons was known for his sometimes controversial criticisms of the Catholic Church hierarchy.[https://www.scotsman.com/news/father-john-fitzsimmonss-online-confession-2472866 Father John Fitzsimmons’s online confession], Stephen McGinty, The Scotsman, 15 July 2012

After a long illness, John Fitzsimmons died in his sixty ninth year on 17 May 2008, in Gourock. Maggie Cunningham, the director of programmes for BBC Scotland, said of Fitzsimmons, "He was a big man with a big personality, erudite and compassionate, and anybody who met or worked with Father John would benefit from his life-enhancing qualities."