EGN NEWS DESK
Tributes have been paid to the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, who died unexpectedly over the weekend.
His passing was introduced by the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, who known as him “a pricey pal and colleague to many throughout the diocese”.
“Alan liked God and liked God’s church with a uncommon ardour. He was a bishop who prioritised the parishes and clergy in his care above the whole lot else and served the individuals of Buckinghamshire with devotion over a protracted and demanding ministry,” mentioned Bishop Croft.
Wilson was Bishop of Buckingham for over 20 years. He was a robust advocate within the Church of England for victims of abuse in addition to LGBT equality.
His demise comes not lengthy after beginning a sabbatical that he had supposed to make use of to plan for his retirement subsequent yr.
Prayers have been mentioned for him and his household in the course of the evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford on Sunday.
“I’ll miss him as a pal and colleague. The Church has misplaced a clever, pastoral and prophetic bishop,” Bishop Croft added.
The Archdeacon of Buckingham, Guy Elsmore, who labored carefully with Wilson, “Along with Alan’s different colleagues and the clergy and lay individuals of Buckinghamshire, I’m deeply saddened by this surprising information.
“We have misplaced a brave, clever and distinctive pastoral chief and teacher. Alan’s ministry was centred in individuals, in valuing each particular person he met and within the quest to broaden the circle of the Church’s like to embrace all. He can be deeply missed by us all.”
Tributes have been paid on social media.
Lawyer Richard Scorer, who has represented many Church abuse victims, mentioned, “Such devastating information and I’m struggling to take it in. Alan all the time spoke up for survivors. A clever, empathetic and witty pal. My ideas are with all those that liked him.”
Former youngster safety lawyer Martin Sewell mentioned Wilson “was the one CofE bishop absolutely trusted by the survivor neighborhood”.
“We should honour his reminiscence by carrying on his work of dwelling the love of Christ,” he mentioned.
Conservative Anglican commentator Adrian Hilton mentioned, “I’m shocked and saddened to listen to of the demise of the Rt Rev’d Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham. We had our theological and political variations through the years, however I additionally knew him as a person of nice integrity and compassion who challenged energy and corruption.”
