Tribute to Boshop David
A message from Dean David Bannerman
On Saturday 27th September our Bishop David Beetge passed away, having been ill for a while with lymphoma cancer.
He was the founding bishop of our Diocese and had been Bishop for over 18 years. In the life of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, he was, Dean of the Province and Liaison Bishop for the Church’s ministry to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He has also served on various commissions within the Anglican Communion, and was co-chairperson of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission.
His death is a profound loss to our Diocese, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa the Anglican Communion and the wider church. He was for us a man with a deep spirituality who engaged compassionately with the issues of his day in Church, South African society and the world at large. His wisdom, wit, integrity and compassion will be sorely missed as our bishop, teacher, pastor and friend to so many.
Donations in lieu of wreaths and flowers can be sent to:
David Beetge Memorial Fund (for Clergy Training).
The account is held in the Diocese of the Highveld Trust Board – Standard Bank Brakpan,
Branch Code 012042,
account No. 020900279.
Members of the Diocese must contact their local parish church in connection with any services being held in their local context for Bishop David and his family.
Finally, please pray for Carol, her family and the Diocese of the Highveld in this time of profound loss.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory!
David Bannerman
DEAN
A tribute to Bishop David
A Book of Condolences has been placed in the Cathedral for those who may wish to express their condolences in this way. If you would like to make a written tribute to Bishop David, please feel free to send it to us, in order for us to include it on our website.
(email: bishsec@iafrica.com )
For more on Bishop David see also:
www.diocesehighveld.org.za/bishop.html
ACNS: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2008/10/1/ACNS4531
The Anglican Church worldwide has lost an exceptional man - warm, intelligent, utterly dedicated, imaginative; and many of us have lost a deeply valued friend. David gave selflessly of his gifts in the service of the Communion, its internal business and its ecumenical relations, and carried great responsibility with calm, humour and good sense.
We join with Carol and the family and all his colleagues and friends in grieving his untimely death and giving thanks to God for a genuinely apostolic life, courageous and joyful. May he rest in peace.
+Rowan Cantuar
"As Dean of the Province, Bishop David was the second most senior bishop in our hierarchy. He also served the worldwide Anglican Communion with great distinction as co-chairman of the International Anglican/Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM).
He was an outstanding and exemplary leader of our church, a man of deep spirituality and prayer, and we give God thanks for his life and witness.
He leaves his wife, Carol. On behalf of the Church in Southern Africa, I express our deepest condolences to her and to their family. There will be a Requiem Mass for Bishop David at 10 am on Friday October 3, at St.Dunstan's School in Benoni."
May I offer my sympathy to you and the Diocese on the death of your beloved Bishop David. He was very much in our prayers during the last election for the See of Melbourne here in Australia. Many were impressed with his qualities as a Pastor and leader of people. Many were disappointed that he was not elected, however we must accept that God knows what is best for His people.
May Bishop David Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
Father Noel Cockings, Acting Vicar, The Parish of Inverleigh, Bannockburn abd Meredith, Diocese of Melbourne.
I write on behalf of the Church Unity Commission to extend the sincere sympathy and condolences of the Commission members to the Diocese and to the ACAS on the loss of your Bishop, David Beetge. It was with great shock and sadness that we learnt of his recent death.
Those of us who had dealings with him over the years will miss his personal warmth and concern for others; and we will all miss his enormous contribution to the ecumenical cause.
Only a few months ago he participated in a meeting between the Member Churches of the CUC and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, to look at the possibility of that Church becoming a full member of the CUC. Unfortunately that seems very unlikely for the foreseeable future.
But Bishop Beetge was extremely helpful in that meeting, because of his experience in the international Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue and because of his ability to tackle important issues with honesty and with charity.
Rev A Rodger
General Secretary
Church Unity Commission - Port Elizabeth
Gregory Cameron writes: I first met David in a kitchen in South Wales in 2002. He was paying an early visit to the Diocese of Monmouth in Wales prior to the link between the Highveld and Monmouth, and at that stage, I had no idea that we would become close colleagues. On behalf of the Anglican Communion Office, we offer the following message:
The Anglican Communion has lost a keen advocate, a wise mentor and an outstanding bishop in the unexpected death of David Beetge. In the Anglican Communion Office, David was a much valued and beloved colleague - valued for his common sense, his optimistic approach, which never saw obstacles but only opportunities, and his immense wisdom. Beloved, for his good humour, his deep pastoral sense and the sheer enjoyability of his presence. Above all else, he was a man of faith - trusting in God’s purposes for the Church, a trust which allowed him to engage with vitality and purpose in his diocese, with his Church, with his nation, with the Anglican Communion, and indeed with the whole of God’s oikumene and creation. He was a giant of a man, to whom so many looked for fellowship and leadership. All this we will miss terribly, but also give thanks to God for his work in and through David, certain of the hope of the Resurrection for this servant of Christ. To Carol, and to the clergy and people of the Highveld and the Anglican Church in Southern Africa, the Secretariat of the Anglican Communion sends this expression of our deepest love and care, standing in solidarity with you in your grief; but also in the hope that He who begun such a great work in David, will bring all these things to completion.
Kenneth Kearon and Gregory Cameron
Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
The sisters of the Community of St Mary the Virgin (CSMV) of Wantage, England wish to express their profound sympathy to Carol Beetge and all who knew and loved Bishop David. Bishop David has had a long association with CSMV from when we had houses and works run by our sisters in South Africa. He was a much loved and deeply respected Warden and Visitor to the Community in South Africa. We will greatly miss his wise counsel, loving friendship – to the Community as a whole as well as to individual sisters.
We give thanks for his life and witness in our daily prayers and will continue to keep Carol and all others who mourn him in our thoughts and prayers.
Mother Winsome
Reverend Mother CSMV
Fr Jeremy has told me about Bishop David - what sad news.
Anne and I were reminicising about Bishop David and Carol's visit to the vicarage here in Abergavenny last year and remembering what wonderful company he was. I can picture him sitting in an armchair by the piano, a commanding presence - leaning forward and taking great interest in everyone there. He had us all laughing and invited us all over to South Africa. I remember he also had a long, deep conversation with Fr Bernard Sixtus.
I sat by Carol and had a long chat about her work and life, a remarkable woman. I wonder if you would pass on our condolences if you have the chance? I know this must be a busy time for you.
My prayers and love are with you all.
God bless you and keep you.
Caroline
From Secretary General Kenneth Kearon
"Bishop David was firm in his support for the work of the Anglican Communion on many levels and was a very special friend of all of us in the London office. On visits to his diocese it was clear that he was not only a beloved bishop and pastor to his clergy and people, but a bishop whose ministry reflected the heart of the gospel message in his widely diverse, vast and strong diocese. He will be sorely missed in the workings of the Anglican Communion but his legacy is one that I am sure will inspire many of us in the days ahead."
From Canon Gregory Cameron
"I worked with Bishop David both in his ecumenical work, as Anglican Co-Chair of IARCCUM, and in his work for the Anglican Communion as a member of the Lambeth Commission on Communion, which produced the Windsor Report. David was a man of great personal holiness, commitment and good humour. He worked tirelessly for the causes to which he was committed, and brought an enormous pastoral concern for his colleagues at the same time. He always showed great common sense, which combined with great perception, allowed him to ensure that work was carried forward in a way which enriched and sustained the life of the Communion and its ecumenical relations. He leaves a huge gap, and will be very hard to replace."
On behalf of the Rector ,Rev Elizabeth Cherry, and the members of St Peter's Parish in Hermanus, we extend our sincere condolences to the family on the death of Bishop David.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.
David Beetge was a true man of Christ, and who he was and what he achieved was incredible.
I try to imagine him now fully living, worshipping and serving our God whom he so deeply knew and loved.
I'll be praying in chapel during the time of his funeral.
Fr. Glyn Rees.
It is with such a sad and heavy heart that I am offering up the following to our beloved Bishop.
“ Sometimes God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
“ Sometimes He breaks our heart to make us whole.
“ Sometimes God allows pain so we can be stronger.
“ Sometimes God sends us failure so we can be humble.
“ Sometimes God allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
“ Sometimes God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us”.
May our Bishop’s soul Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory!!!
From
Trevor, Hilary, Rhys & Robyn-Anne Petersen
Parish of Reiger Park
From the Bishop of Bunbury, Western Australia:
It was with great sadness we learnt in Bunbury of the death of Bishop David Beetge who is one of the great bishops of our communion. The bishop, clergy and people of Bunbury assure Carol and the clergy and people of the Diocese of The Highveld of our prayers as you mourn the loss of a wonderful Father-in-God. We share you grief as we commend our dear friend to the love and mercy of God. + David Bunbury.
The Bishop and the Diocese of Umzimvubu wish sincerely to condole you on the loss of the beloved David.
Be assured of our prayers at this most difficult time that you face.
May he rest in peace.
It was with shock and sadness that I learned of +David's passing. We're together in Grahamstown the weekend of the 20th September him being one of the presenting bishops and I the preacher at the consecration of te Bishop of Grahamstown. We shared brief words and as usual encouraged me to be good and to work hard. This is a huge loss for our church, Carol be assured of our prayers and may +David's soul rest in peace.
Revd Vicentia Kgabe
Diocese of Johannesburg
From Canon Jeremy Winston
We have fond memories of Bishop David's visits to Abergavenny when he was present with Archbishop Rowan at an Ordination here in 2002 and when he and Carol visited us last year. We have so much valued the richness of the association and partnership initiated through the warmth and prayer which he and Bishop Dominic have shared, and expressed in the visits made between parishes. Through this link Fr Malcolm was able to lead a group of Abergavenny parishioners on a visit to Benoni earlier this year from which we have all learned so much. We hope that in the years to come that link, that fellowship will grow richly - it is part of a truly remarkable legacy which Bishop David has left not only to his diocese but to us, here, in the Diocese of Monmouth. What a great blessing he has been to the Church worldwide!
We shall offer a Requiem Mass here at St Mary's Priory Church on Friday. We hold you in our prayers in your loss and sorrow. May he rest in peace and rise to eternal life.
We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Bishop David Beetge and the Diocese of Monmouth send heartfelt sympathy to our friends in the Diocese of The Highveld. We have been remembering Bishop David in our prayers today (Sunday) and also praying for Carol and his family and friends.
Bishop David and Carol were with us before the Lambeth Conference and travelled with me to Canterbury. We had become close friends over the past five years and I feel quite bereaved. Bishop David's death is a great loss to the Diocese as well as the Church of the Province of South Africa and the wider Anglican Communion. His leadership and wisdom, his pastoral warmth and integrity marked him out as a remarkable bishop who will be greatly missed. We thank God for his life and ministry and commend him to the God he loved and served so faithfully.
As your companion diocese, we share your sadness and assure you of our love and prayers at this time.
+ Dominic
I send greetings from Guildford at this time of your most sad loss. With you, we held Bishop David in the most high esteem, regarding him as a true friend and brother in Christ. He was such a wise and supportive bishop, who knew how to be strong, kind and compassionate. He was courageous in many ways, and believed deeply in the goodness and talent of you, his clergy. We feel your loss, and want you to know that we are praying for you and all your diocese each day.
With much love and prayers
Robert Cotton
Rector, Holy Trinity Church
Guildford
England
It is with great regret to hear of the passing on of the Very Reverend David Beetge, the office wishes to send its condolences to his family, yourself your Grace and the Anglican communion both in the Province and Worldwide.
Peace and Blessings!
Siyabulela Gidi
Director
S.A.C.C.- Western Cape
Dear Friends
It is with great sadness, and a very heavy heart, that I write to tell you of the death of our dear friend and colleague Bishop David Beetge.
I first knew David and Carol Beetge in the 1980s when David was a Priest under Bishop Simeon Nkoane in the Diocese of the South Eastern Transvaal (later re-named Diocese of the Highveld). I quickly learnt what a stalwart and reliable friend David was to Simeon. Simeon appointed him to be his Vicar General and what a brave tower of strength he turned out to be. Remember, these were very difficult days with Police raids, tapped phones and informers everywhere. As Simeon became ill I came to depend on David for help and advice. He was always there for me, nothing was too much trouble.
After Simeon’s death in 1989 David was elected Bishop. So it was that David was involved with the Bishop Simeon Trust long before it became a registered charity. In the early 1990s he was on our South African Committee, always ready to help with the students we were trying to get out of S.A. Then with the advent of democracy in SA the work of BST was transferred to helping with students/evolving projects in SA itself.
What a gift for a new Trust to have in place someone so familiar to us and with such integrity that the transition to work in SA was remarkably smooth and productive. We were trusted and respected largely due to our history with Simeon and then our long association of working with David at the grassroots level.
David was a deeply sensitive man with a burning passion to try and make a difference in the huge Diocese for which he was responsible. Among many other things, I shall miss his dry humour which could so often bring a smile even in the most taxing situation.
I, personally, have lost one of my dearest friends and finest allies in the work to help the poor and disadvantaged. But David was such a great encourager that he leaves behind him a superb team, based both at Diocesan House and also throughout many small projects and parishes across the Diocese. These people are making such a positive impact on the daily lives of their neighbours - and they would all bear eloquent testimony to the enormous strength, support and wisdom that their Bishop gave them. I feel that the greatest tribute we can pay to David is to ensure that we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that this work, so painstakingly developed over the years, continues and grows.
Thank you for all your help and support
Judith Scott
President and Founder
Bishop Simeon Trust
So sad...we love him here and YOU ALL...much love and prayers
Editor of the Anglican World, The Revd Canon Jim Rosenthall.
You are all much in our thoughts and prayers. May you know the presence of the resurrected Lord in all things
Yours with much sympathy
Richard
The Revd Prof Richard Burridge FKC
The Dean, King's College London
We have heard today with great sadness of the death of Bishop David. We have been praying for him and his family, and for all of you, over recent days, as he weakened physically and became more and more dependent on intenseive medical intervention.
USPG: Anglicans in World Mission has long held Bishop David in the highest regard and affection. We recognise with thankfulness the huge contribution he has made to the life of the church in Southern Africa over many years, as parish priest, Bishop, and Dean of the Province. We have valued his wisdom, integrity, and diplomacy on the wider stage of the Communion, and have always enjoyed the times he was with us in our offices when in London.
As we thank God for his life and ministry, we pray especially for his wife and family; but also for the whole Diocese in what must be a time of deep shock and loss. We pray that you may all know God's peace and comfort at this time, and that you will be encouraged to express your thanksgiving for his life in your continuing commitment to the work of God's mission in Africa, to which he was so wholeheartedly dedicated.
May God be with you all, and may Bishop David rest in peace.
Edgar Ruddock
Canon Edgar Ruddock
Deputy General Secretary,
USPG: Anglicans in World Mission
Marion and I share the grief of the Diocese in losing one of the great bishops of the Anglican Communion. Personally we mourn the loss of a very dear friend.
Bishop David McCall
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of our brother David Beetge. We will miss him a lot. Our prayers are with his wife Carol and his diocese and all the province of Southern Africa at this time of loss.
We have enjoyed his hospitality at his home and his friendship. May his soul rest in peace and rise again in glory.
This comes with our prayers and those of the whole Church in Malawi.
Your yokefellow,
+James
Bishop of Southern malawi and Chair of Anglican Council in Malawi.
I have just received notice of Bishop David's death. He was a true man of Christ, a person who deeply knew, loved and served our God.
It was a privilege to be part of his Diocese for the ten years that I served with him.
My love and prayers for Carol at this time.
Yours in Christ
Fr. Glyn
(Rector of the Parish of Wodonga, Diocese of Wangaratta, Australia)
I heard only today of the death of David. Please accept my deepest sympathy. David was a loveable man full of faith, intelligent, with a great sense of humour. When I met him at Lambeth I did not realise how ill he was. He looked so full of life. As co-chairs of IARCCUM we had a great time together in many different countries. I will miss him greatly, especially the bear hugs he gave to me and all his friends. May he rest in peace. I will keep you and the extended family in my prayers.
Sincerely in Christ
+John Bathersby
Just a short note to convey my condolences on David’s untimely death. Please pass this on to Carol with love from myself and my wife, Jean.
I will be paying tribute to David on Faith to Faith next Sunday. Malcolm Chalmers has kept me informed through-out.
David, Carol and all of you are in our prayers.
Peter
Peter James-Smith
SAFM
I write on behalf of the Bishop of Grahamstown, and the entire Diocese of Grahamstown, to extend to you our deepest sympathies, following David's death earlier today. It is hard to believe that just last week you and he were here together in Grahamstown Cathedral, for Bishop Ebenezer's consecration. How grateful we are for his ministry to this diocese, and to our bishop, at this time.
David was a remarkable person and we shall miss his clear thinking, wisdom and compassion, immensely. He always brought clarity and a very high level of integrity to our gatherings. If he spoke, it was worth hearing. We knew that if David was in favour of a particular course of action, it was because he had thought and prayed about it. His advice and counsel was utterly reliable and trustworthy. He was a person of such great stature in the life of the Province, and he will be deeply missed and mourned.
On a personal note, I valued his friendship and his encouragement, particularly as I discussed with him the possibility of me doing further studies in Canon Law at Cardiff. He was a strong supporter of this and I am grateful for the encouragement he gave me to do the course.
He had a wonderfully clear mind regarding church processes, and issues affecting the life of the Province, and could always be relied upon to give a clear, thought-through answer. My discussions with him during the preparations for the Grahamstown Elective Assembly, earlier this year, were a case in point: his answers were considered, valuable, and helpful. I appreciated his swift and thoughtful replies to correspondence. Likewise, during Lambeth, he was able to respond very helpfully, and swiftly, to matters we sent to him.
We thank God for you, for your life together with David, and for all that you shared as a couple and as a family.
May you know the love and peace of Christ with you during this time of sorrow and bereavement.
Yours in the love and service of Christ
Andrew Hunter
The Very Revd Andrew Hunter
Dean of Grahamstown
On behalf of the Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Monmouth I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Bishop David's wife and the people in your diocese. Please be assured our of love and prayers. I will write to Ivy via yourself in the near future.
Kathy Palmer
Diocesan President
Please pass on our love and prayers to the Bishop's wife and to the Diocese. You will all be in our prayers. Our church looks beautiful with harvest toys for the children of the Highveld and I'm sure Bishop David would have loved it. I will send some photos next next week.
David - Vicar of St Mellons (Monmouth)
I have just heard the news of Bishop David's death. I am so very very sorry. Please please do give my personal expression of love to Carol, and tell her that David was a great man of God and that we love them both. I feel very close to her at this time. We'll be saying lots of prayers. Do let me know how things stand there. I am shocked by the news.
Love also to you
In Christ
Gregory
The Revd Canon Dr Gregory K Cameron
Deputy Secretary General
The Anglican Communion Office, St Andrew's House, London, UK, W11
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