Following the death of Baroness Masham of Ilton, The Dowager Countess of Swinton, the Catholic Union has issued the following statement.
Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, comments: “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Baroness Masham of Ilton. Lady Masham lived a life of service. She served as a crossbench peer for over 50 years and continued to play an active role in public life until just a few weeks ago. A former Vice President of the Catholic Union, Lady Masham spoke fearlessly about her faith, which no doubt inspired her public service.
“Lady Masham was a faithful attendant at the Wednesday Mass in Parliament. Never one to be told that something could not be done, she found a way of accessing the underground Chapel in Parliament in her wheelchair. Her disability, like her faith, was never something she would tolerate being a ground for discrimination or disadvantage.
“Most recently, Lady Masham helped improve police guidance on priests having access to crime scenes. Following the murder of Sir David Amess in October 2021, she was one of the first to raise concerns that he had been unable to receive the Last Rites on the day he died. In a very moving debate in Parliament, she described the Last Rites as a sacrament ‘to strengthen and comfort the soul, and food for the journey’. We pray that she will receive that fullness of comfort and peace now.”
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.