The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children was represented today at the funeral of Sir David Amess MP by Antonia Tully of SPUC's senior management team.
Antonia Tully was present at Westminster Cathedral on behalf of SPUC's members and supporters throughout the UK.
The funeral Mass was attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Keir Starmer and former prime ministers Theresa May, David Cameron and John Major.
Mrs Tully said: "It was a privilege to stand in Westminster Cathedral representing the thousands of SPUC supporters up and down the country who mourn the passing of an MP who never willingly missed a vote to uphold the right to life of unborn children.”
Sir David, who was murdered during a constituency surgery in Southend-on-Sea, Essex on 15 October, is remembered as a stalwart pro-lifer who never ceased fighting for the right to life of the unborn.
Defending God’s gift of life
Sir David's pro-life stance was mentioned three times during the Reqiuem Mass, officiated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
A message from Pope Francis was read out by Archbishop Claudio Guerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain. The Pope made reference to Sir David's "commitment to the defence of God's gift of life."
The special tribute read: “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, and to help build a society of ever greater justice, fraternity and solidarity”.
Former MP, Ann Widdecombe, who delivered the eulogy, spoke of her shared commitment to the pro-life cause with Sir David. She recalled meeting in Lancashire with other pro-life MPs at the home of the late Ken Hargreaves, MP for Hyndburn (1939-2012) another staunch pro-lifer.
SPUC’s Mrs Tully added: “To quote from the Book of Wisdom read at the Requiem Mass by former US Congressman Robert Miller Pittenger: 'The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation, but they are at peace.”
Outpouring of gratitude and respect
Following Sir David’s death, SPUC opened an online book of condolence, giving supporters an opportunity to express their gratitude for Sir David’s service to the unborn, and sympathy to his family.
SPUC’s online book of condolence gathered over 1000 messages from the pro-life community, expressing their respect and gratitude for Sir David and his work.
Writing in SPUC’s book of condolence, supporter Maureen Mahon wrote:
“Sincere sympathy to Sir David's family and many friends. Sir David is a great example of what it means to be a good man and an admirable politician of integrity. He lived out his faith in concern for all, his love and respect for human life in all its stages and in his enthusiastic work on so many important issues. With prayers for David and all the family, remembering that " Those who die in grace go no further from us than God, and God is very near."
Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess
26 March 1952 - 15 October 2021
May he rest in peace