from Ray Turner, NEC Representative, Liverpool

Can I take you back to the summer of 1976 when inflation was running at nearly 20% and companies were closing at the rate of two a week. Unemployment was touching 15% and the trades unions were at the peak of their power, or at least that is what the government at the time told us! Imagine the scene in a tiny dingy smoke filled room in a large factory in Liverpool. The room is used at the concession of management by the shop stewards’ committee and there is a heated discussion going on about what action should be taken to avoid a complete walk out of 2,000 production workers in a dispute over 5 men not being paid the correct bonus. In the midst of all this mayhem in walks a little bloke in a long mac and beret accompanied by another member of the committee.

"Who is this bloke? Is he a new member of management come to spy on us?" "No, he's a French priest, he is here learning to speak English." "He won't learn any here we only speak ... scouse." "Why have you brought him in here?" "He is the Chaplain to the World Movement of Christian Workers and he is interested in the worker movements around the world and in particular the British Trades Unions at grass roots level."

This was the beginning of a long and disorderly discussion, made worse by the different translation and culture of those involved. But from this insignificant meeting came what I like to believe, the seed from which our Movement in its present form has grown. It has withered a bit along the way.

It was at that meeting that I first heard some of the Gospel (Good News) according to St. Jean Marie and like some of the words of the Good Lord may be a little lost in translation: When asked why a priest would be interested in the problems of workers rather than those of his flock his answer was that he hoped that if he had a flock then they were an important part of it. To their amazement he said, "I am convinced that where people are struggling together for justice and their rights, then Christ is present whether they know it or not, even if they profess to be non-believers. If we so called Christians cannot find God in our neighbour next door needing a cup of tea, then we will never find Him in church."

A short time later two of that committee joined a small group of members of the FSA (Family & Social Action) who were trying to form an adult worker service of the Movement. The rest is history and those of us who have been involved from the beginning know how much we depended on our friend Jean Marie for his support and inspiration during some very difficult but exciting times.

For my part I would like to say that it has been an honour and privilege to have had Jean Marie as a father confessor and very dear friend. He has been part of my life for the last thirty odd years, both within the Movement and with my family and my (his) friends here in the City of Culture. If I can be so bold as to make the comparison of our relationship it would be with that of Cardijn and Pat Keegan (well just a little bit). I can at least boast of having achieved a small contribution to Jean Marie's conversion to be a proper drinker by convincing by my good example that good single malt is far superior to any of that cognac rubbish!

Congratulations and Best Wishes from the Movement of Christian Workers and from your many friends in the UK and Ireland.