31 January 2023
Bishop Guli, Bishop Lynne and Archdeacon Elwin have paid tribute to Father Marco G Lopes, Vicar of St Martin’s Plaistow and leader of the Luso-Hispanic Mission in Newham, after he died suddenly on Monday morning.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“My thoughts and prayers are with Marco’s wife Mary Ann and their children, Eunice and Rafi. This is devastating news for them and for everyone at St Martin’s Plaistow and the Luso-Hispanic Mission where Marco led so ably and with a spirit of service to the community. He was known to many people in our diocesan family and was an inspiration to those who worked with him. His ministry was also achieving recognition at a national church level and helping to shape thinking beyond our diocesan boundaries.”
The Bishop of Barking, The Rt Revd Lynne Cullens said:
“Marco was a remarkable man of great character and a truly gifted priest and leader. He was held in deep affection and high regard by all who knew him and particularly by his congregations, friends and colleagues in the Barking Episcopal Area. He was at the forefront of truly remarkable work at St Martin’s with the Luso-Hispanic Mission, which I pray will continue as a testament to Marco’s leadership, vision, energy and faith. Our love and prayers are with Mary Ann, Rafi and Eunice.”
The Archdeacon of West Ham, The Venerable Elwin Cockett said:
“Marco’s death has come as a huge shock to all of us who knew him and served alongside him. Under his charismatic leadership, St Martin’s became a remarkable trilingual church with three thriving congregations, worshipping in Spanish and Portuguese as well as English. His friends and colleagues will testify that in the relatively short time he was with us, he showed himself to be a brilliant pastor and leader. He was also a much loved friend to many. Please join us in praying for his family as they come to terms with this devastating loss.”
Father Marco Lopes became Vicar of St Martin’s Plaistow last year having previously served as Curate at Holy Trinity East Ham. He also led the Luso-Hispanic Mission serving Portuguese and Spanish Communities in the London Borough of Newham.
Born in Portugal, in 1973, Father Marco served in the Charismatic Episcopal Church there before moving to England in 2013 and becoming part of the church community at St Patrick’s, Barking where he became a Licensed Lay Reader. He attended St Mellitus Theological College and was ordained as a Priest in Chelmsford Diocese in 2020.