Tributes to Sir David Amess MP

15/10/2021

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Bishops of Chelmsford and Bradwell have paid tribute to Sir David Amess MP who has died after being stabbed at a constituency surgery in Essex.
Sir David Amess MP is shown smiling in a Parliamentary portrait Parliament UK

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis Dehqani, said: "This is devastating news. Sir David was a loyal servant to the people of Southend for many years.

"The tributes we have already seen are testament to the high esteem in which he was held by many of his constituents.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his staff."

The Bishop of Bradwell, Dr John Perumbalath said: “This is deeply shocking and sad news.

"Sir David was a great friend of the church and it was a privilege to work alongside him in service to the people of Southend whom he cared about deeply.

"My prayers are with Sir David’s family and his staff."

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: "I had the great honour of calling David Amess a friend when I was Bishop of Chelmsford.

"He was the MP for the constituency where I grew up, and not only did he always faithfully serve those people and that place, but had a particular concern for the Christian community born of his own deeply held Christian faith as a member of the Roman Catholic community.

"It is shocking that someone so dedicated to his community and public service was the victim of such violence as he went about his elected duty.

"It is hard to make sense of the horror of what has happened this afternoon but he and his family and those he loves are in my prayers."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "I am truly devastated to hear of the death of Sir David Amess today. 

"The death of a father, husband and friend is agonisingly painful for those who loved him. The murder of an MP, in the course of caring for their constituents, is a deep blow to this country, its citizens and everyone who desires a peaceful and flourishing democracy. 

"Sir David Amess dedicated his life to championing causes he believed in, serving constituents and his country for almost forty years as a Member of Parliament.

"He was a devout Roman Catholic whose deep faith fuelled his sense of justice. We are richer for his life and his example, and we are all the poorer for his untimely death. We hold his family and loved ones in our prayers, that they might feel the comfort and peace of the Christ who suffers with us.

"The only antidote to violence and hatred is love and unity. In this horrific and tragic moment we must come together, across political difference, and be the light that refuses to be cowed by darkness. 
  
"May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May he dwell in the House of the Lord forever."