London, September 2014. The Chancery regrets to announce the death on 7 September 2014 of Mr James Dobbin, MP, a Knight of Merit with Star of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George within the Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland. He was invested into the Order on 16 November 2006 and was an active member of the Delegation.
Mr Dobbin believed in helping others, proven by his work in the NHS for more than 30 years. He was elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 General Election as the Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton. Mr Dobbin chaired the All-party Pro Life Group and served and supported many other Catholic charities and causes.
Mr Dobbin was decreed by Pope Benedict XVI as a Knight of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great in 2008, in recognition of his service to the Catholic Church in the public witness of faith as a parliamentarian and as a staunch advocate of the dignity of all human life.
He will be greatly missed. Requiescat in pace.
His Eminence Vincent, Cardinal Nichols, GCGCO, Archbishop of Westminster, expressed his “profound sorrow” at the sudden death of Jim Dobbin MP, commending his life of “radical service”.
“On behalf of the Catholic community, I express profound sorrow at the unexpected death of Jim Dobbin MP on his recent trip to Poland. I share with many a deep sense of loss at his death.
“First thoughts are with his widow and family. I assure Mrs Pat Dobbin of my prayers for her beloved husband and, of course, for her and her family at this time of loss. I pray that the precious gift of faith in the promises of Jesus will strengthen and sustain her in the sure hope of God’s merciful welcome for Jim and his eternal rest in the presence of his living Lord.
“Jim Dobbin has been a stalwart servant of this country throughout his long life, especially in his Parliamentary career. His service was particularly robust and persevering in matters concerning the fundamental dignity of every human life, from the moment of conception to its natural end. This is the most radical service than can be given, for once that fundamental respect for human life is lost, then society is dramatically weakened and the vulnerable put into real danger.
“We salute Jim’s sterling work and thank God for the consistent witness he gave. In the phrase of Pope Francis, Jim was truly a missionary disciple in this land. May he rest in peace as he awaits the final resurrection of all things in the Lord.”
Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool, Vice-Delegate for England also paid tribute to the life and work of Jim Dobbin MP. Click here to read Lord Alton’s tribute.