Bishop of Guildford dies following cancer diagnosis
Last month the Right Reverend Andrew Watson revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer
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The Bishop of Guildford, the Right Reverend Andrew Watson, has died at the age of 64.
It comes less than a month after he revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
In a statement, the Diocese of Guildford said Bishop Watson died on the 3rd of March surrounded by his family.
Announcing his death in a letter, the Bishop of Dorking, the Right Reverend Paul Davies, said: “Whilst his family mourn the loss of a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, we mourn the loss of a much-loved diocesan bishop – as well as an inspiring fellow disciple, dear brother in Christ, precious friend and special colleague.”
“In the midst of the shock and sadness of the last few months, Bishop Andrew has been an inspiration. For me, personally, he has taught me so much about how we should live and, in these past months, about how we should die.”
In his letter, Bishop Paul also encouraged the diocese that Bishop Andrew would want everyone to remain focused on “Jesus as our source of comfort, hope, salvation and strength.”
Last week, an all-day prayer vigil was held at Guildford Cathedral, in which almost 2,000 people joined together in a show of support and prayer for Bishop Andrew and his family.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, very recently visited Bishop Andrew in his home:
“It is with great sorrow that I received news of Bishop Andrew’s death. Andrew was a man of deep Christian faith who lived his life in the service of Christ and others. In the face of death, he demonstrated a calm reassurance of God’s saving grace.
“Over four decades of ministry, Andrew made an enormous contribution to the life of the Church of England – and, through his concern for Anglicans and other Christians around the world, the global church. He was a gentle man and generous with those who held differing theological views. He will be greatly missed, not just by his family and friends, but by the whole church."