A bright, cold day with flurries of snow in the morning formed the backdrop to the thanksgiving service for the life of Sir Fred Catherwood which took place at Eden Chapel Cambridge on Saturday 17 January.
Along with his distinguished career in the politics of this country and Europe, Sir Fred was a great champion of the evangelical cause who passed away on November 30 at the age of 89.
A great man
The service was led by Julian Hardyman, pastor of Eden who described Sir Fred as ‘a great man who we loved and respected so deeply.’ The three Catherwood children, Christopher, Bethan and Jonathan read from the Scriptures and about the departure of Mr. Valiant-for-Truth from The Pilgrim’s Progress. Reflections on Sir Fred’s life and career came from four eminent men. Stephen Adams, who was engaged in the peace process with Fred Catherwood spoke on ‘Fred and Northern Ireland,’ nudging two mutually suspicious minorities towards each other. Dr. Paul Leinster, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency told of being part of Sir Fred’s Bible class at Westminster Chapel. Michael Welsh, a fellow MEP, spoke of Sir Fred’s involvement in the European Parliament and described him as one of the architects of the European Single Market. He honoured Sir Fred for his gentle, rational and persistent negotiating skills. Robert Amess recalled Fred as truly one of ‘the great and the good’ as he reflected on his time as President of the Evangelical Alliance, 1992-2001, initiating the Social Action Networks.
