Pax Christi tribute to Bishop Thomas McMahon RIP

Bishop McMahon with campaigners at Peace Service at Aldermaston Feb 2010

Source: Pax Christi UK

We join the prayers for the repose of the soul of Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood Diocese, who died earlier this week.

Bishop Thomas was a great supporter of Pax Christi and one of our Vice Presidents for a number of years.

Even before he became a Vice President, he was involved in setting up a J&P Commission in his Diocese which worked with us on the campaign for a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty for Nuclear Weapons. He faithfully supported our work against Trident and against the arms trade and on a number occasions had letters on these issues published in The Tablet.

In the early 2000s, Bishop Thomas attended gatherings at the Aldermaston Military Base with his counterpart, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, then Bishop of Chelmsford. Several times he spoke at national anti-Trident events in London and for many years offered a welcome and reflection to those attending the annual silent vigil against the DSEI arms fair in East London. This happened to be in his Diocese.

He attended and spoke of his support for Pax Christi at a number of Diocesan events and workshops on peace and nonviolence, always showing his personal support for our work.

Our now Vice President Pat Gaffney recalls 'On a personal level, he would often send notes and messages encouraging me in the work and speaking of his admiration for Pax Christi.'

Requiescat in pace.