Anglican Church leaders from around the world expressed shock and sadness over the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in an auto accident in Paris Aug. 31. Prayers were offered for the repose of her soul in parishes around the world and thanksgivings offered for her life and work in Great Britain and elsewhere. Of utmost concern to church leaders was the welfare of her surviving sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

The Ven. Martin Draper, vicar of St. George's Anglican Church, Paris, rushed to the hospital in Paris to pray the traditional Prayer Book Commendation for the dying. He was present with Prince Charles as the body of Diana was taken to the airport for the journey back to England. One of the royal chaplains was present at Northolt as the body arrived back in England.

In a television interview, the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt. Rev. Michael Scott-Joynt, said Diana "clearly lived out a Christian understanding of compassion."

Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey spoke to the nation from Manchester Cathedral, where he lit a candle and read Psalm 33. "I was shattered to hear that this vibrant person had lost her life," he said. "It is a terrible tragedy for everybody.

"She seized the imagination of young and old alike. This beautiful woman was also a very vulnerable human being and out of that vulnerability and weakness, if you like, came lots of strength, her passion and her commitment to people.

"I think there's a sense in which we are all grieving, because she expressed something that we all valued and loved," the archbishop continued. "I knew her as someone who loved life. She was deeply committed to people, to issues, to causes. I found her a very interesting person who was very committed to people. We are reminded that death is only inches away from each one of us. Perhaps it will help us all to focus on the really important things in life, human love and relationships, and faith in God."

The archbishop added that although Diana had faith in God, "she wasn't the kind of person who wore religion on her sleeves. There was a deep faith there. She was a deeply religious person in the sense that she cared about people."

The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. David Hope, said, "I am totally numbed by the news. When I was Bishop of London I met her at many charity functions, and what struck me always was her enormous vitality and vibrancy and straight-forwardness. She had a compassionate heart for those who experienced tragedy in their own lives."

"I am distressed and stunned by the news of the death," said the Rt. Rev. Richard Chartes, Bishop of London. "Having confirmed Prince William recently, her children will be particularly in my prayers as well as Prince Charles, her family and the relatives of all those involved in this tragic accident."

"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," said the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, executive officer of the Anglican Communion.

From Worcester, Bishop Peter Selby said, "It is not often that we as a society can see in a person a vision of care for others and compassion in action."

The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Rev. Njongonkulu Ndungane, said, "Princess Diana was a person who cared for the vulnerable and marginalized in a world in which a lot of such people often go uncared for. We knew her as someone who would be with the sick and the dying in their time of need."

"It is a human tragedy that a young life of beauty and willingness to reach out to those in need has been so abruptly brought to an end," said the Most Rev. Robert Eames, primate of the Church of Ireland. "Something of the human touch has disappeared from our national life."

St. Paul's Cathedral, London, held a special service on Sunday evening, broadcast by BBC-TV, and at Westminster Abbey, the music of the regular Sunday Evensong was changed to mark the solemnity of the day.

In Balmoral, Scotland, the royal family, including Prince William and Prince Harry, attended Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) services on Sunday as is their custom. No mention of Diana's death was made during the service.

Anglican Communion News Service