It was with great sadness that we learned on Tuesday, 3 March, of the death of Bishop Andrew Watson, the Bishop of Guildford.
Reflecting on the news, Bishop Jonathan said:
'I had known Andrew since the day we arrived to train at Ridley Hall in 1984, and I have been privileged to count him as a dear friend ever since. He was throughout his life a faithful and gracious Christian leader, with a wonderful ministry as a pastor and teacher of the faith.
'Andrew made an enormous contribution to the life of the Church of England at so many levels, most recently as Bishop of Guildford and in his leadership of national initiatives on encouraging vocations and on national governance. He was a kind and generous friend to many and will be warmly remembered not only in this country but by his countless friends across the Anglican Communion.
'Andrew's faith shone through in the way in which he responded to his illness during the last weeks of his life with such grace and courage. His pastoral letters to his Diocese were inspirational and deeply moving, combining honesty about his condition with trust in God and the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
'Please join me in praying for his wife Beverly, together with their four children and the whole family, as well as for the people of the Diocese of Guildford.
'A faithful servant has gone home to his Lord. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.'
+Jonathan
Bishop of Rochester
For those who would like to, details of ways to offer condolences are available on the Diocese of Guildford website: www.cofeguildford.org.uk/