Fr Josh Harris writes...
All of us here at St Katharine Cree are devastated to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of Fr Marco G Lopes, Vicar of St Martin's Plaistow and leader of the Luso-Hispanic Mission in Newham, on Monday morning.
Fr Marco has been a great friend to St Katharine's in the recent renewal of our ministry among City workers. He has prayed with us and for us often; he has led us in worship in Spanish and English; and he has given us constant encouragement and support in all kinds of ways. He and St Martin's were crucial to shaping our Living Wage Week service and the trilingual London Cleaners Carol Service in December. Among his many strengths and gifts, we will miss his good humour, prayerfulness, laughter, and gentle kindness.
Today at the Eucharist we prayed for him, for his wife Mary Ann, for his children Eunice and Rafi, and for the community of St Martin's. We will continue to pray for them, and all those who grieve this loss, here at St Katharine Cree.
The Diocese of Chelmsford has published a tribute to him which you may read here.