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The world has lost of a man of ‘peace, justice and love,’ family, friends and well-wishers hear at Bruce Kent's funeral

The world has lost a man of “peace, justice and love,” family, friends and well-wishers heard at the funeral of peace movement legend Bruce Kent today.

The life of Mr Kent, who died in his 93rd year on June 8, was celebrated by hundreds with a funeral mass at Tollington Park, north London, led by the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon, the Archbishop of Liverpool.

Among those paying their respects were local MP Jeremy Corbyn, general secretary of CND Kate Hudson and Stop the War coalition officers Lindsey German and Chris Nineham.

The former Roman Catholic priest was best known for his role as general secretary of CND during the resurgence of the peace movement in the 1980s.

In her tribute, Valerie Flessati, whom Mr Kent married in 1988 after he left the priesthood, said: “Bruce shared his life with everyone, and the world lost a man of peace, justice and love.”

A number of Mr Kent’s family shared items that reminded them of the peace activist. There was a chalice given to him on the day of his ordination as a priest, a book of psalms, a list of names of prisoners he regularly wrote to and “a well-worn copy of the UN Charter.”

Peace activist Murad Qureshi, noting that the family had been offered Westminster Cathedral for the funeral, told the Star: “Keeping it local to his parish in Islington says a lot about the man and his family. May he rest in peace.”

Kate Hudson said: “Bruce transformed the scope and confidence of the anti-nuclear movement beyond all recognition.

“His leadership of CND in the 1980s was the embodiment of integrity, creativity and sheer determination.

“His razor-sharp intellect, together with his humour, tireless work, intolerance of flannel and total commitment to his faith made him a leader of our movement beyond compare. He will be much missed,” she said.

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