Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Combat evil with good
Pope’s message at terror attack MP’S funeral
SIR David Amess’s tireless public service has been praised by the Pope, who urged people to honour the murdered MP’S memory by fighting evil with good.
Senior politicians from both sides of the House of Commons heard the plea for peace and justice at a requiem mass at Westminster Cathedral yesterday.
Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer were joined there by mourners including former Prime Ministers John Major, David Cameron and Theresa May.
Delivering the Pope’s message, papal envoy Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti said: “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...
“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, and to help build a society of ever greater justice, fraternity and solidarity.”
Sir David’s funeral cortege had earlier left the Houses of Parliament before pallbearers carried his coffin into the cathedral. His family led mourners including around 800 Parliamentary colleagues and friends at the cathedral in Central London. Among them were Chancellor
Rishi Sunak, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle Home Secretary Priti Patel, Housing Secretary Michael Gove and former Tory minister Michael Portillo.
Palace of Westminster duty priest Canon Pat Browne, who knew Sir David well, told them: “David’s death was the catalyst for everyone in Parliament realising their oneness as a community working differently, but together, for the good of the nation in our world.
“He took his life in his two hands and
threw himself into it. And indeed, he died doing so, in service of others.”
Sir David’s close friend, ex-tory MP Ann Widdecombe, said: “I don’t want David remembered for how he died, I want him to be remembered for how he lived and for the causes he fought for.”
After the service mourners were seen wiping tears from their eyes as the coffin was carried out of the cathedral.
It followed Monday’s funeral in Sir David’s Southend constituency where hundreds lined the streets.
The devout Catholic and dad-of-five was stabbed to death while holding a surgery in Leigh-on-sea, Essex, last month. Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with his murder and preparing acts of terrorism.
He is due to enter pleas next month.