LIVES REMEMBERED Dr Peter E Hodgson, lecturer in Nuclear Physics

and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, was born in London on November 27 1928. He died on December 8 2008, aged 80.
Peter Hodgson graduated in Physics from Imperial College in London in 1948. After receiving his BSc he began research as an experimentalist under the guidance of Sir George Thomson and he was one of the first to identify the K+ meson and its decay into three pions, giving at the time the most accurate value of its mass. For this work he got his PhD in 1951.
Dr Hodgson turned to nuclear physics with H S W Massey at University College London, where he studied the scattering of neutrons by alpha particles. This work raised the interest of Professor R Peierls and Sir Denys Wilkinson who, in 1958, invited him to Oxford where he become the head of the Nuclear Physics Theoretical Group and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, staying there until his retirement.
During his early years at Oxford he was awarded the degree of DSc by the University of London. He published several review papers on the subject and books, including The Optical Model of Elastic Scattering, which for many years became reference texts for the scientists working in the field.
Dr Hodgson also spent much of his life devoting time to studying and promoting the impact of science on society and of its moral obligation. He was an active member of the Atomic Scientists’ Association, serving on its Council from 1952 to 1959 and editing its journal from 1953 to 1955. In later years he became the president of the science secretariat of Pax Romana of which he edited the bulletin, contributed several articles and book reviews and became a consultant to the Pontifical Council for Culture.
He encouraged Catholic scientists and priest-scientists to integrate their studies and belief and to publicise their work effectively, emphasising the need for the Church to be thorough and professional with regard to the use of scientific advice and comment. He worked closely with the Templeton Foundation, the Newman Association and many other organisations to promote the integration of science and religion.
Only two months before his passing away he wrote a letter to his friends discussing ideas for new courses on “Physics for Philosophers”, “Philosophy of Science” and “Effects of Science on Society” at the Gregorian University in Rome. He was writing new books: one on “Energy, the Environment and Climate Change” and another on Galileo, which should appear soon.
Mr Hodgson was always willing to give guidance and assistance, and lead by example. He was also the perfect gentleman. He achieved eminence in his scientific work and strove to play his part to the full in the life of the Church.
Fr James Alfred McCormick was born on April 4 1934. He died on February 2 2009, aged 74.
Fr Jim McCormick has passed away at Thornton College, Buckinghamshire, where he was chaplain to the Religious of Jesus and Mary.
Fr McCormick was 74 years of age and had been a priest for 50 years.
James McCormick was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex. He was one of four sons of Alfred and Mary McCormick.
His father died a number of years ago but his mother died only last year. A younger brother, Anthony, pre-deceased him, and he is survived by his brothers Brian and Terence.
After primary education in the north-east of England during the war years, he went to St Edmund’s, Ware, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31 1958 in Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Godfrey.
After ordination Fr McCormick’s appointments included Mile End, Uxbridge, Kentish Town, East Acton (and he was curate at Wormwood Scrubs), Gunnersbury, Old Hall Green, Berkhamsted, Wembley, Wheathampstead, All Saints Pastoral Centre and Thornton College.
He had a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and served at Lourdes as a Confessor. He celebrated his golden anniversary there last May.