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I cannot convey how sad I am to learn that Father Kevin Barr passed away after a short illness on Thursday. He was 84 but with good health he had so much more to contribute to Fiji.
He will be remembered most for his advocacy work for the poor, especially urban squatters in Suva, housing, and his work on the minimum wage. He was a kind and generally tolerant man who doggedly opposed many inequalities and injustices, at no small personal cost to himself.
At least once, he stepped beyond the normal boundaries allowed of a non-citizen and was seen to be
political. While this was undoubtedly well intended, it was unwise, and led to a brief falling out with PM Bainimarama and threats to cancel his work permit. But this was Fr Barr, quietly determined, irrepressible and alway acting according to his ideals.
Fiji has lost a friend and a strong advocate for equality and social justice. I am proud to have known him for over 30 year, and valued his friendship.
-- ACW
See also:
https://fijilive.com/news/2020/09/social-justice-advocate-father-barr-dies-in-suva/70174.Fijilive
https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/09/19/father-barrs-fijian-family-tell/
https://www.fijitimes.com/father-kevin-barr-passes-away/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/426399/renown-social-justice-advocate-dies-in-fiji
https://crosbiew.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-lagilagi-controversy-government-and.html
https://crosbiew.blogspot.com/search?q=Father+Barr
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