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Bishop John Walker, "A Fighter for the Lord," Honored in Washington

Episcopal News Service. October 17, 1989 [89186]

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 5 -- A throng of over 5,000 people -- including the powerful and the humble -- came to Washington Cathedral on October 4 to honor the late Bishop John Walker, eulogized by a friend as "a fighter for the Lord."

Walker died September 30 at the age of 64 after complications developed from heart surgery.

The nearly finished towers of the cathedral glistened as thousands tiptoed around the construction mess, past the U.S. flag at half mast, to enter the cathedral. Everyone had to pass through metal detectors because President and Mrs. George Bush, Episcopalians who knew Bishop Walker and have attended cathedral events during their years in Washington, participated in the three-hour service. Another 500 or so had to be turned away because there was no more room.

After a long procession of local and national religious leaders, including over 30 Episcopal bishops and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning intoned the beginning of the liturgy. A black slate urn, containing Walker's ashes, was placed on the cathedral's high altar, covered with a fair cloth. Walker's miter and staff were nearby. Four acolytes kept vigil during the service.

The homily was delivered by the Rev. Edgar Romig of Church of the Epiphany in Washington, a good friend of Walker. "Because of his composure, grace, charm, and gentleness, perhaps we thought that being a pioneer was easy," Romig said. "I know it was not. The stress was often enormous, but he was a fighter for the Lord."

Romig pointed out that Walker was not only the first black bishop of Washington, but also the first black student at VirginiaTheological Seminary, the first black teacher at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and the first black rector of his first parish in Detroit.

During the passing of the peace, President Bush walked across the aisle to greet Walker's widow Maria and their three children. At another time during the service Leah Tutu, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Mayor Marion Berry also greeted the family.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was a concelebrant with Browning and Washington's Suffragan Bishop Ronald Haines, said after the service that Africans were "devastated by the loss of someone we loved so dearly." Tutu was in the same Bible study group at last summer's Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops and said Walker demonstrated "an incredible, quiet, affirming kind of authority." Tutu paid tribute to Walker as "someone very dear, very precious" who stood for "peace, justice, and love." He said that Walker was a member of the team that prepared many Anglican bishops for Africa and therefore had a "tremendous impact" on meetings of the Anglican Communion.

The Rev. Charles Perry, provost of Washington Cathedral, said during a brief press conference that it was a "cruel irony" that Walker should die on the very day that the cathedral began a year-long celebration of completion after 83 years of building. The celebration will continue "in Walker's memory and in his honor," he added.

Until the diocese calls a special election next year, Bishop Ronald Haines will head the diocese. Haines was elected suffragan of the diocese and consecrated in 1986. Before his election, Haines was bishop's deputy in the diocese of North Carolina.

[thumbnail: Archbishop Desmond Tutu (...] [thumbnail: President and Mrs. George...]