On Tuesday 23rd November, Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrated the Funeral Mass of Sir David Amess MP, who was tragically killed at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October.
Joining the Amess family to remember Sir David were his friends and colleagues from Parliament. Among the congregation were Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron and Sir John Major, as well as members of the Cabinet, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer, and Members of both Houses.
At the beginning of Mass, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, read a message from the Pope, who praised Sir David's 'years of devoted public service guided by his strong Catholic faith'.
Canon Pat Browne, Roman Catholic Duty Priest to Parliament, and a close friend of the Amess family, gave the homily, extolling his passionate commitment and service to others.
Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG, a colleague of Sir David and also a close family friend, delivered the eulogy, recalling with great warmth his genuine interest in people, sense of humour and unfailing courtesy.
Papal Message
Saddened by the tragic death of Sir David Amess, His Holiness Pope Francis asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to the Amess family.
His Holiness recalls with gratitude Sir David’s years of devoted public service guided by his strong Catholic faith and evidenced in his deep concern for the poor and the disadvantaged, his commitment to the defence of God’s gift of life and his efforts to foster understanding and cooperation with the Holy See in its universal mission.
Commending Sir David’s soul to the loving mercy of Jesus Christ our Saviour, the Holy Father prays that all who honour his memory will be confirmed in the resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21) and to help build a society of ever greater justice, fraternity and solidarity.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
The Order of Service is available to download
Photos: Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk