Archbishop Ramsey is Dead
Episcopal News Service. April 28, 1988 [88080]
NEW YORK (DPS, Apr. 28) -- The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Arthur Michael Ramsey, 83, former Archbishop of Canterbury, died April 23 in Oxford, England. He had been suffering from bronchial pneumonia in recent weeks.
Lord Ramsey was born in Cambridge and educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and Cuddesdon College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1928, and after two years as a curate at Liverpool Parish Church he was sub-warden of Lincoln Theological College from 1930 to 1936. He served for two years on the staff of Boston Parish Church in Lincolnshire, and after a short period as vicar of St. Benedict's, Cambridge, he went to Durham in 1940 to be canon of Durham Cathedral and professor of divinity at the University of Durham.
Ten years later he returned to Cambridge as Regius Professor of Divinity, a royal appointment, and in 1952 he was consecrated Bishop of Durham. After four years at Durham, he became Archbishop of York, and in 1961 he succeeded Lord Fisher as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. He retired in 1974, and was created a Life Baron.
Archbishop Ramsey broke considerable ground in both worldwide Anglican affairs and ecumenically. He presided at the 1968 Lambeth Conference when the Anglican Consultative Council was formed, and served as the Council's first president. He traveled widely abroad in connection with his deep concern for Christian unity. As Archbishop of York, he visited the Soviet Union and Africa, and as Archbishop of Canterbury he made historic visits to the ecumenical patriarch in Istanbul (1962) and to the pope (1966).
He was the author of many theological works, which are distinguished by their profound learning and clarity of expression, and he was awarded nearly 30 honorary degrees.
A large man in physical stature, he spoke with ease and authority, and as Archbishop of York he could still be found on occasion mixing with mill workers in the local pub.
Arthur Michael Ramsey continues to praise the Lord and Savior he loved and served so well on earth. He leaves for our reflection and instruction the record and memory of a life lived for the glory of God.
The Episcopal Church mourns the death of Michael Ramsey, the beloved late Archbishop of Canterbury. He was no stranger to the Episcopal Church in the United States. His books have become classics of theological education; his model of Christian unity has become our guide for ecumenical partnerships; his devotion to every part of the Anglican Communion lights our future path together; his social conscience emboldens us. His recent annual lectures in the United States are stepping stones to many on the journey of faith.
Episcopalians in the United States join their brother and sisters in the Church of England in mourning the loss of this great Christian. And we join our prayers and condolences to theirs for his wife, Joan.
May his soul rest with the Lord in the company of the saints.
Edmond Lee Browning Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
April 26, 1988
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