The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon George L Carey, has issued the following statement on the death on 11th July 2000 of Lord Runcie:

"It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Lord Runcie. He fought bravely against cancer for the larger period of his retirement. But he did so with such cheerfulness while maintaining a full diary that few were aware of the battle being waged. He was as courageous in later life as he was in his war service.

"Robert's graciousness of character won him friends and admirers all over the Anglican Communion. He gave a high priority to the unity of the Church of England and to the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury in our world-wide communion. That inheritance has been a great one on which to build.

"Among his many contributions two in particular stand out. The first was his invitation to Pope John Paul II to pay that historic visit in 1982. A great deal has flowed from that meeting of two Christian leaders in Canterbury Cathedral. The second was the publication of the report Faith in the City and its practical outworking The Church Urban Fund. From this significant recommitment to the people of our inner cities has come a new confidence in the Church in its mission, particularly to the poor and marginalised.

"But Robert will also be remembered for his deep Christian faith and the delightful sense of humour which was rarely absent from his faith and life. He loved people and was a wonderful after dinner speaker. As his successor I mourn the passing of a friend and brother bishop - whose attitude to death as for life was rooted in a firm conviction of God ever present.

"Lindy, James and Rebecca and the family will be much in my prayers."

Other Anglican Communion leaders were quick to pay tribute to the former Archbishop.

"He was a great pastor and a person who always would find time to share a story and make you feel very special", said Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. "His legacy in the Communion includes his remarkable leadership at the Lambeth Conference 1988 and his gift of preaching and intellect that has made a difference in the lives and ministries of many Anglican Christians."

Bishop Simon Chiwanga, chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council, called the late Archbishop "a leader devoted to the cause of Christian unity especially with our Orthodox and Roman Catholic brothers and sisters". Bishop Chiwanga also spoke of Lord Runcie's ability to "stand firm" in his beliefs and convictions even when under pressure such as the controversy over the Memorial Service after the conflict in the Falkland Islands and in his commitment to urban ministry through the report The Church in the City.

The Very Revd Dr John Simpson, Dean of Canterbury, said. "I am deeply saddened by the news of Archbishop Runcie's death. He was a great Archbishop, of courageous statesmanship, who held the Church together during a difficult time. He was much loved in the Diocese. He was always at Cricket Week in Canterbury; he frequently visited parishes; and he brought many world Christian leaders, including the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople, to the Cathedral. He was a man who made warm friendships and he will be very greatly missed."

Lord Runcie attended a Scottish local council school and Merchant Taylors' public school in Crosby before entering Brasenose College, Oxford. His education was interrupted after one year by the outbreak of World War II, during which he became a tank officer in the Scots Guards. After the war, he returned to Oxford, took a first-class honours degree, and was ordained in 1951. He held a number of mostly academic positions before becoming bishop of St. Albans in 1970. He was cochairman of the Anglican-Orthodox Joint Doctrinal Commission (1973-80). His publications include Seasons of the Spirit (1983), One Light for One World (1988), and The Unity We Seek (1989). Lord Runcie was created a life peer in 1991.

The Most Revd Lord Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980-91. He died peacefully at home with his family, after suffering from cancer for some years. He leaves his wife, Rosalind, his children - James and Rebecca, his grandchildren - Rosie, Charlotte, Matthew and Edward, his daughter in law - Marilyn and his son in law - Christopher.

There will be a funeral service at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban at 11.00am on Saturday 22nd July 2000, to which all his friends are invited. Details from the Dean's office in St Albans on 01727 890202.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Abbey, on a date to be announced.

May He Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

Article by: JM Rosenthal