Father Leslie and his wife Julie have shared their condolence letter regarding the death of Bishop Geoffrey Rowell to Bishop Robert with us:
Dear Robert,
The news of Bishop Geoffrey’s death came as a shock to both of us just as we were setting off on a short family visit to Bangalore in India. The informality of this response is owed to these circumstances.
We join the many who, having had the privilege of knowing Bishop Geoffrey and being blessed by his ministry, now mourn the loss of this great churchman, theologian and episcopal leader. He retained his very special humour and touched the lives of so many people, in so many ways and in so many different contexts.
For me, Leslie, he was an inspiration in particular in respect of the work relating to the Orthodox world. He was furthermore a prophetic voice of solidarity for Christian communities across the world who suffer persecution and oppression. He understood the pain of their situation. One of his key biblical verses in such situations was: we share with you in Jesus the persecution, and the kingdom and the patient endurance (Rev. 1.9).
I, Julie, remember him from his visit to St. Catherine’s Church in Stuttgart while still Bishop in Europe and from a very well received lecture on the Oxford Movement to theological students in Tübingen University a couple of years ago.
We thank the Lord for the life of Bishop Geoffrey; a witness to the love of God. We know him to be in God’s eternal kingdom of justice and love. May he rest in peace in the glory of God.
Warm regards as usual
Leslie