1931 - 2017
Ray Cavanagh was a fighter for justice and peace throughout his
life.
Founder and chair of
the Brentwood diocesan ethical investment working group, Ray was also a member
of the Northern Ireland working group and later human rights committee.
It was as chair of the
Northern Ireland and Human Rights Committee I got to know Ray and his wife Rose. The committee did good work,
raising the issues of the north of Ireland when the majority of the British
population preferred to look elsewhere. The group also worked on a number of miscarriage
of justice cases.
The institutional
church was not always appreciative of our efforts, making too many waves for
some. But the members of the group thought that was what we were there to do.
Ray in his quiet way was always there standing up for the work and putting his
head, together with the rest of us, above the parapet. He could also always be relied on to back
you up in difficult times.
Sadly, the structure
of the Brentwood Justice and Peace Commission was swept away in the early
noughties - another of those unaccountable hierarchial decisions for which
the Catholic Church is so well known.
There had been some
excellent people involved, including Ray and Rose, Jose Campbell, Kathy Piper
and Theresa Helm.
The work of justice
and peace though continues, particularly at parish level. Ray and Rose’s church
the Most Holy Redeemer in Billericay has a J&P group that has been running
since the 1980s. Ray was chair, playing an active part in street homeless
collections and supporting refugees.
Ray came to England
from Ireland in the 1950s, where he met and married Rose. The couple had one
daughter Marie. Ray worked as an accountant for many years, before retiring in
Billericay. He was active in retirement before being over taken by Parkinsons.
He was active in the
church locally and at diocesan level, being part of the Catenians, as well as
Justice and Peace.
It has been an honour
to know Ray and be able to pay tribute to his great work over the years at his
funeral today. He is one of those who helped keep the flame of justice burning,
someone whose passing leaves big shoes to fill.
RIP Ray
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