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22 June 2005

Southwark Cathedral was full on Thursday 16 June, as people came to say farewell to a well-loved Bishop and campaigner. The Dean, the Very Rev Colin Slee, welcomed people to the Cathedral and introduced the service which was led by the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev. Dr Tom Butler, during which many facets of Bishop Hugh’s life were remembered and celebrated.

The service focussed on Hugh - Bishop and Pastor, with a tribute from Canon Giles Harcourt who said that ‘he felt sure that Bishop Hugh was already leading the heavenly host in some celestial action or, with his elegant left-handed writing, adding to the library, that is, of course, if he hasn’t misplaced his pen; Hugh - campaigner and environmentalist, with readings from people who had worked with him in this endeavour and a tribute from Bishop Tom who spoke not only of his work in these areas but of his own work with him and his appreciation of Bishop Hugh’s ministry in Southwark Diocese. Bishop Tom said that ‘in Bishop Hugh was a man in which humanity, passion, faith and intellect all came together and we would miss him’, a sentiment which all present echoed.

There was also Hugh – the Jewish/Christian Theologian and Teacher, with a tribute from Margaret Barker, his last undergraduate student at Cambridge who spoke of him as a wonderful teacher who pursued truth and did not follow the crowd. The Kaddeesh was read by Charles Sebag-Montefiore and finally Hugh - husband and father, which included a tribute from his granddaughter, Jennifer Goss. She read extracts from letters about Bishop Hugh and from a sermon from Bishop Colin Buchanan, which paid particular tribute to Bishop Hugh’s wife Eliza. Jennifer Goss emphasised that no tribute to Hugh would be complete with reference being made to her grandmother, his still calm rock.

The Diocese of Birmingham will hold a memorial service later in the year.

Ends.

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
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Fax: 020-7939 9468