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Movement of Christian Workers
St, Joseph’s, Watford Way,
London, NW4 4TY
Telephone: 0208 2036290,
Fax: 0208 203 62 91
E-mail:
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Registered Charity 1023530
The MCW is a member of
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Jean-Marie Leuwers A Sign of Hope for the World and the Church |
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It was with much sadness that I received the news that our friend and our
brother had left us, but that’s normal. Yet, when I think of him and his
life it is also a moment of joy. He was a great man who in spite of his
small stature had a big heart for working men and women, and for all
those who are victims of an unjust society.
I knew Jean-Marie for more
than 30 years, when as chaplain to the World Movement of Christian
Workers (WMCW) he came to England to help us develop our Movement and
above all how we could improve the review of life. When Jean-Marie
participated in a review of life with English activists, he would always
listen attentively to what was being said and at the end of the sharing
in a very humble way he would give his little reflection about what he
had heard. Despite all the difficulties experienced by the activists
Jean-Marie had the capacity to see the signs of hope, which are present
in all the collective struggles and actions carried out for justice.
Jean-Marie would always say, look here in this situation or in this
action, you can see the resurrected Jesus Christ. He is with you in your
daily struggles. Jesus came into this world and by his life and action
he showed us that the leaders of the Temple of Israel had forgotten what
God wants for the powerless, the poor, the worker, each person who has
been marginalised which is to be set free and liberated from their
oppression. This is what you are engaging in with your friends,
believers and non believers, to build the Kingdom of God here today.
Ten
days ago I had the privilege of eating with Jean-Marie after he had
give an excellent presentation about the history of the working class in
his neighbourhood of Moulin to the members of the International Council
of the WMCW. We
spoke together about our friends and about the economic and political
crisis in France, Great Britain and of course in Europe. As usual he was
very interested in what was happening in the world. What struck me was
that despite his age and weak health, he was involved in some groups of
reflection in the home where he lived with his brother priests on the
documents of Vatican II. He said to me “Paul it is necessary that we as
church rediscover the spirit that came out of this Council”.
Right
up to the end of his life he was faithful to his conviction that we
have to announce the Good News in our daily life and engagements in a
language accessible to everyone. When I look at the Church today and
indeed the modern world that is broken by the current crisis, I am
convinced that the Church and the World needs priests like our dear
brother Jean-Marie.
On
behalf of the Movement of Christian Workers of England I would like to
say that Jean-Marie was, is and will always be with us as a sign of hope
for all who struggle for the realisation of the Good News of Jesus
Christ.
Au revoir my brother, many thanks for all your friendship
and for having shared a part of your life with me and my comrades and I
ask you to pray for us so that we do not abandon the call of Jesus to
construct the Kingdom of God here in our environment today.
Paul Edwards
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