3 September 1997 Update of original story.....
Anglican Church leaders from around the Communion have expressed shock and sadness over the news of the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Prayers were offered for the repose of her soul in parishes around the world and thanksgiving offered for her life and work in Britain and around the world. Of utmost concern to Church leaders was the welfare of her surviving sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
At the Anglican Communion Office in London, Canon John L. Peterson made the following statement: "We remember before God, Diana, Princess of Wales, , who died in Paris this morning following a car crash. This sudden and tragic death of this lively and caring person, loved by so many, saddens us all immensely.
"Diana's ministry of compassion and care will be her legacy, and we are indeed grateful to have had her as part of our Anglican family. Already tributes are being received from Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and lay people of our church around the globe.
"I know I speak for millions of Anglican Christians around the world today as we express our deep sorrow and pray especially for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in this great loss of their mother. May she rest in peace and rise in glory."
The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane, said from Southern Africa, "Princess Diana was a person who cared for the vulnerable and marginalised in a world in which a lot of such people often goes uncared for. We knew her as someone who would be with the sick and the dying in their time of need. She endeared herself to millions in the region covered by the Anglican Church in Southern Africa because of her work in two areas that directly affect us most - amongst the victims of AIDS and those who continue to suffer the dreadful consequences of landmines that were laid in recent wars. Her witness will be missed."
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Robin Eames said, "The shock and disbelief which has been expressed from all parts of the world testifies in some way to the uniqueness the Princess of Wales brought to so many lives. It is a human tragedy that a young life of beauty and willingness to reach out to those in real need has been so abruptly brought to an end. Our hearts and prayers reach out to the Princes William and Harry, themselves on the threshold of their lives, to Prince Charles and to her loved ones at this time of such sorrow. Something of the human touch has disappeared from our national life."
Tributes have been streaming into the Anglican Communion Office in London from Anglicans around the globe, some addressed to the Queen, others to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Many Anglican Cathedrals will be holding memorial services for Diana, Princess of Wales, over the next few days. We have had notice of services that will be held in the USA, the Solomon Islands, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Uruguay, Peru, Brazil and many others.
The Presiding Bishop Elect of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Frank Griswold, will celebrate a memorial Eucharist in St James' Cathedral, Chicago. The Archbishop of Melanesia, Ellison Pogo, will conduct a memorial service in St Barnabas, Honiara, Solomon Islands on Saturday morning. Prayers have been offered in the daily masses at St Mary's church, Los Angeles, California since Monday morning. A huge crowd is expected for a memorial service at St Andrews' Cathedral, Sydney. Solemn Evensong in thanksgiving for the life of Princess Diana will be held at a future date in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. Notices have been received of services planned at St Luke's Cathedral, Panama City, St George's Church, Ypres, France, Christ Church, Mexico City and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Bishops and Clergy eagerly await the names of the hymns and other music so that this can be incorporated in their local commemorations. The hundreds of expressions of sympathy have come from church members who rejoice over the fact that Princess Diana was a beloved member of the Anglican Church.