Farewell Sister Peter: a founding tax justice activist

I have just heard the sad news from Jersey that Sister Peter died on Saturday 30th June 2012 after suffering a massive stroke.

Sister Peter - pictured above in 2010 - was amongst the founders of Tax Justice Network.  Ten years ago, even before the network was mooted and formally launched, Sister Peter participated in a conference in Saint Helier, Jersey, which focussed on tax havens and the harm they do to poor and vulnerable people.

Through her close connections with religious activists in the Republic of Congo she knew all about the role played by tax havens in enabling illicit financial flows and tax evasion.  And having spent her entire life taking action to help young people in need, she understood precisely why tackling tax havens has to be an over-riding priority to secure economic justice.  For the past ten years she has been steadfast in supporting TJN's activities and encouraging others to work with us. 

And the motorcycle?  In 2009 she told me that since childhood she had always wanted to ride pillion on a motorcycle, so the following year I took her on a tour of the parish of Saint Peter, where I grew up, and she was thrilled and happy as a young child (even if she did lean the wrong way at corners!)

Sister Peter: a wonderful person.


John Christensen