We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Trustee Rev. Father Marco G. Lopes and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.
Marco joined our Board of Trustees in March 2022 and was loved and respected by many in the community. His passion for social justice, diversity, migrants’ integration, and interfaith dialogue is an inspiration for all and a beacon of hope in a world of much injustice and struggle. He was a visionary, and his tireless efforts towards making Newham a welcoming and safe place for all will never be forgotten.
Last year we interviewed Marco and asked him to share some words about himself and what connects him to The Renewal Programme, and this is what he said:
“My name is Marco Lopes, I’m a Church of England priest and a Portuguese citizen who came to this country nine years ago. I moved to Newham almost 3 years ago. I’m interested in religion, politics and science. Fighting inequalities is very much in my heart.
Rev. Father Marco Lopes, Trustee at The Renewal Programme
I almost got the know the Renewal Programme immediately after I moved to Newham; I found out about it when I started to inquire about the social fabric of the borough and its institutions. I subscribe to the Renewal Programme’s values wholeheartedly. Therefore, seeing the programme working along the lines of dignity, inclusion, collaboration and empowerment is massively encouraging.
I feel most connected to the ESOL classes, as they are a fundamental tool to promote people’s full inclusion and giving them an instrument to improve their lives. The Renewal Programme comes across as a very open and transparent organisation. It’s hard to focus on an individual in particular but perhaps Peter Laing incarnates the Renewal Programme’s values.
To me, the organisation means willingness to change the reality in the borough, empowerment, especially of those who are in the margins of society.”
Marco was an exemplar of a community leader and is deeply respected and loved by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. His contributions to The Renewal Programme will always be cherished.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden recent passing of Marco Lopes, a trustee here at the Renewal Programme. Marco has been a trustee at our charity for the past year and even in that relatively short time his commitment to vulnerable and marginalised communities in Newham shone through. We are deeply saddened by his passing, but are also so much the richer for having known him. Our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Peter Laing, CEO of The Renewal Programme
We are all very much saddened to hear of the loss of Marco, our colleague and friend. Marco’s contribution to the Renewal Programme’s work, and the work of the board of trustees, will be very much missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family at this sad time.
Dave Eldridge, Chair of Trustees at The Renewal Programme
