Westminster: Annual Solemn Requiem Mass for deceased police officers

Commander Nick Bracken (Met Police), Chief Constable Martin Richards (Sussex Police), Bishop Stack, Commander Pat Rice(City of London Police), Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick (Met Police), Patrick Somerville, CPG Chairman

The Catholic Police Guild 87th Annual Solemn Requiem Mass for deceased police officers was held at Westminster Cathedral on Thursday 12 November 2009. Officers, serving and retired, from many police services attended with family members. The Mass was concelebrated by the Rt Rev George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Fr Eugene Campbell (Bristol) and Fr Anthony Glaysher (Ryde) assisted by Deacons Neville Dykhoff (London) and Tony Hunt (Cheshire). Ecumenical Chaplains to the Metropolitan Police Service, Cheshire Constabulary and Hampshire Constabulary were also present on the Sanctuary.

Lessons were read by Commander Patrick Rice, City of London Police and Deputy Chief Constable Phil Gormley, West Midland Police Mr. Martin Richards Chief Constable of Sussex and Temporary Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick (Metropolitan Police), Assistant Chief Constable Lewis Benjamin (Warwickshire) were present with representatives from other police service organisations, the Police Roll of Honour Trust, the National Association of Retired Police Officers (London) and staff associations.

The liturgy was sung by the Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir under their Musical Director, Gerald Peiti. The Last Post and Reveille was sounded by Trumpeter Martyn Tubb. The organ was played by the Cathedral organ scholar Edward Tambling.

The intercessions were read by Patrick Somerville, Guild Chairman, and included the names of Guild members lately dead and the names of officers who died in the past year in the line of duty and are recorded in the Police Memorial Trust Roll of Honour Also remembered as John Watson formerly musical director of the Police Choir who had been associated with the Requiem Mass for many years.

In his homily Bishop Stack reflected on the ancient Jewish tradition of offering atonement for the sins of the dead which would be superfluous without a belief that there is hope of resurrection. Similarly we remember our dead colleagues and friends and in a reflection on “how long does a man live” he explained how they live in our memories and experiences long after they have gone and are as it were alive in our recollections and therefore deserving of our prayers.

Members of the Guild, Chaplains and guests gathered in the Cathedral Hall afterwards for refreshments.