Remembering Archbishop Emeritus Philip Russell

Yesterday at Provincial Synod we remembered Archbishop Emeritus Philip Russell. Here is the Eulogy delivered at his Memorial Service at St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, on 28 September 2013, by the Ven Richard Girdwood.

Philip Welsford Richmond Russell was born on the 21st October 1919 in Cowies Hill, in what was then Natal, of an Australian mother and an English father. He died on St James’ day, the 25th July 2013 in Adelaide Australia.

Originally Philip trained as a quantity surveyor. When World War II came along he decided that he could not bear arms and so it was decided that he would do war service as part of a bomb disposal unit in the South African Engineering Corps. For his deeds of heroism in disabling bombs, at huge personal risk, King George VI decorated him with an MBE. It was during this time Philip felt the call to priesthood and after the war went to St Paul’s in Grahamstown to prepare for ordination. He was made a deacon and then ordained priest in the Diocese of Natal. As he developed in ministry he became interested in the Institute of Race Relations. As a parish priest in country towns, he started expressing his doubts about apartheid in sermons. He remembered very clearly that it was at a church council in 1962 where, for the first time he saw black people and white people sitting together and talking.

It was while he was Vicar of St Agnes Kloof, in 1966, that Philip was chosen as the Suffragan Bishop of Cape Town. (In those days Natal called the priest in charge of a parish a Vicar, only changing to Rector in 1970)

In 1970 Philip was elected as the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Port Elizabeth. He showed himself capable of innovation in the setting up of this new diocese by deciding that while there would be parishes, they would not have any parish boundaries. Part of the reasoning behind this decision was that people were able to move around and choose a church in which they would grow and be spiritually fed, and parish boundaries were a hindrance to effective pastoral care.

In 1974 Philip was translated to be Bishop of Natal. It was during this time that I, as an ordinand of the diocese, got to know him. It was Philip who gave me my first license in the church – as a lay minister in my home parish.

In 1980 he was named Archbishop of Cape Town by what was then called the Episcopal Synod of the Church of the Province after the Elective Assembly of the Diocese of Cape Town was unable to decide between Desmond Tutu and Michael Nuttall as the next Archbishop. It was as what has been termed an Interim Archbishop that Philip excelled. As the successor of Archbishop Bill he had the daunting task of trying to draw the Diocese of Cape Town together again. As the clergy here will know, the diocese had been divided in a most destructive way by the Charismatic movement.

Philip has been described by Archbishop Thabo as “one of the unsung heroes of our Church”. He filled the ministry of Archbishop, again in the words of Archbishop Thabo, “... with great graciousness, and was clearly God’s man for those difficult times between 1980 and 1986.”

Philip retired to Natal in 1986 and was succeeded by Desmond Tutu. Interviewed in Australia before his death, Philip had joked that he was known by friends at the frail care where he lived as “Bishop one-one” — unlike his friend, the more famous Tutu.

Philip had a quiet sense of humour and he could make fun of himself. There was a time when what were called ‘gaitered clergy’ – namely Archdeacons, Deans and Bishops – would wear gaiters, frock coats and top hats as their ordinary daily clothing. There was a special little black rosette which was worn on the hat band of the top hat. When a friend of Philip’s gave him just such a rosette, he had it sewn on the floppy hat he used everyday when he went walking.

Philip was an ardent supporter of human rights through the S.A. Institute of Race Relations and the Civic Rights League. His had a strong sense of the importance of matters ecumenical which led him to be an enthusiastic and active member with Archbishop Denis Hurley of Diakonia in Durban, as well as the Vuleka Trust, the South African Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

After the death of his wife Eirene, Philip moved to Adelaide, Australia, where three of his four children had settled. In 2006 he suffered a stroke which necessitated his being moved to a frail care facility. He was a popular member of the community there, as he moved around on his walking frame.

Philip had a strong theology of the ministry of a bishop. This was given expression in the seal he had designed upon his election to Port Elizabeth. The symbols on the seal were a bishop’s throne, a crosier, a ring and a mitre. He used this seal, suitably amended, for each of the dioceses of which he was bishop. His ministry to clergy was always caring and wise. One of his pieces of wisdom for clergy who were trying to discern where God wanted them to serve next was “Allow the church to discern where you should be ministering.”

While he was bishop of Natal Philip was approached by a young rector. He was experiencing quite some hostility from members of his parish. Most of the clergy will have experienced a time when new in a parish when the sheep, for a variety of reasons, attack. Philip said that this young priest should remember that it was their church. He had newly arrived and there would be a time when he would go, but they would still be there. He should listen to, and ask about, the expectations of the people of God in that parish. Wise words for any of us involved in parish ministry!

Each of us in the cathedral today has our own memories of Philip. Today we not only remember him and his ministry, but also give thanks to the Lord of the Church for sending us such a man. We pray for his children as they mourn his death and we pray for ourselves that we might follow in the path of faithful service to the church and the world shown us by Philip Welsford Richmond Russell.

Anglican Church Honours its Dead

This media release from the meeting of Provincial Synod was issued on 1 October 2013

Anglican Church Honours its Dead

Silence was observed at the opening service of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) Provincial Synod this afternoon, for the Cape Town businessman killed in last month’s terrorist attacks at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall.

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, invited the 300 Synod members and guests to observe a time of silence in remembrance of Mr James Thomas, who was due to have attended the Synod meeting as a delegate of the Diocese of Cape Town. He asked for prayers for Mr Thomas’ widow Colleen and family, as the funeral is held on 2 October.

Throughout the meeting of Synod, Mr Thomas’ empty place will be marked by his name plate, flowers and a candle.

The Synod also observed silence in memory of former Archbishop Philip Russell who died in July. Archbishop Emeritus Russell headed the Anglican Church of Southern Africa from 1980 to 1986. Archbishop Makgoba described him as a ‘passionate, compassionate, unsung hero’ of his Church.

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
Inquiries: Ms Wendy Kelderman, 021 763 1320 (office hours)
The Revd Canon Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, 082 856 2082 (during Synod)

Death of Archbishop Emeritus Philip Russell

Statement by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town on the death of Archbishop Emeritus Philip Russell

25 July 2013

The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, issued the following statement on 25 July 2013, on learning of the death of his predecessor, in Australia earlier in the day.

Today the whole Anglican Church of Southern Africa gives joyful thanks to God for the life and ministry of one of the unsung heroes of our Church – my one-time predecessor as Archbishop of Cape Town, Archbishop Emeritus Philip Russell, who died earlier today.

We remember Philip Russell as parish priest, Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Cape Town, the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Port Elizabeth, and later Bishop of Natal. Then, in 1980, it was clear that the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (as we were known) was moving towards electing its first black Archbishop, but not yet quite ready to take that step. After the electoral assembly failed to reach agreement, he allowed himself to be nominated by the Synod of Bishops to become what was clearly an ‘interim Archbishop’, and was enthroned the following year.

Yet he filled this ministry with great graciousness, and was clearly God’s man for those difficult times between 1980 and 1986. Having long preached and campaigned against apartheid, he brought to Bishopscourt a passion for both human rights, and ecumenical relations, with strong ties to the South African Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

I remember him having a sharp pen, on paper – but a warm heart in personal encounters. Even in old age, retired in Australia following the death of his wife, he has kept in contact with his former fellow-bishops and priests, personally writing letters and Christmas cards. I feel privileged that after I was elected Archbishop, he has also been in frequent touch with me, including phoning from time to time, with wise words of encouragement.

I offer my own condolences, and those of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, to his children, grandchildren, and wider family, in South Africa and Australia, in the loss that his death brings – even as we commit him with confidence into the loving arms of God, who has in Christ broken the chains of sin and death and opened the gate to eternal life.

Now, at the great age of 93, he has completed his long race, which he ran with such faithfulness and godly perseverance. He has fought the good fight, and now the victor’s crown can be his, as he is welcomed home by his Lord, his Saviour, his Friend.

Hamba kahle, dear elder brother in Christ. May you rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
Inquiries: Ms Wendy Kelderman 021 763 1320 (office hours)

To the People of God – To the Laos, May 2009

Dear People of God

South Africa’s elections fell between Easter and Pentecost, so I have been considering what it means to live as those who are raised with Christ, indwelt with the Spirit, and called and sent to be the salt in this complex messy world of ours. I have been greatly helped by recent conversations with my predecessors – drinking from the well of many years of wisdom and experience in ‘speaking truth to power’. I thank Archbishops Desmond and Njongo for all they have learnt and shared, and affirm my support for the public stance that each continues to take, particularly in South Africa, in calling on politicians to uphold all for which the Constitution stands.

After the leading role churches played in opposing apartheid and supporting the transition to democracy, I have found it extraordinary to encounter so many recent claims in the media that religion should have no place in political life. Of course, I share others’ wariness of political parties claiming God as their supporter; but to believe that faith is irrelevant to the national life is a real failure to understand mature religion, and how much we can contribute to the flourishing of human society. Anglicans have long believed engagement in public debate is inevitable, for God is either God of everything or of nothing. Therefore there can be no area of human activity in which he has no interest, and into which he does not call us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ! Any attempted distinctions between the secular and sacred, the personal and the political, are artificial and unsustainable.

Yet this does not mean that churches should try to micro-manage government policy. Instead, we must help people understand how the eternal truths of the gospel apply in whatever context they find themselves – from the voting booth, to community forums, to a seat in Cabinet! This approach was set out by William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1942-4, who said it is the church’s responsibility to ‘announce Christian principles and point out where the existing social order at any time is in conflict with them. It must then pass on to Christian citizens, acting in their civic capacity, the task of reshaping the existing order in closer conformity to the principles.’ Because mature democracy offers the best context for debating Christian principles – and more general pursuit of mission and ministry – I see one role of the church as being to act as ‘the friend of the Constitution’. This is why I took a lead role in election monitoring bodies, which encourage political tolerance, freedom of speech, healthy debate, and so forth.

South Africa’s Constitution is a wonderful document, bought at great price – many lives lost, others permanently scarred. Its first commitment is to ‘heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights’. As Christians, we also want to bring God’s healing and wholeness to humanity. Many other principles that we want to promote are also reflected in the Constitution, such as upholding truth, honesty, accountability, transparency, justice, fairness, and all that exemplifies good governance. We also want to prioritise those in greatest need – the weakest, poorest, neediest, marginalised, and voiceless – and in this, to ensure that for them the Constitution’s promises of equal rights and benefits are properly realised. In practice, this includes adequate prioritisation of HIV and AIDS, TB, malaria, safety (I am particularly concerned at present about safety of our young people in school), and many other urgent areas of social need – as well as ensuring that urgent and critical environmental considerations are properly reflected in all policy-making.

Now the voting is over, here at least, though other parts of our Province will face elections later this year. After the counting is done, the church must lend its voice to ensuring that those who are elected pursue the common good of everyone – not only of themselves and their families, friends and supporters. We should be a vital part of the conscience of our nations. As St Paul tells us, we will support our governments, our elected representatives, as long as they are ‘God’s servants for our good’ (Rom 13:4). But where they fall short, we will be unafraid to tell them so – and it is to the best of our Constitutions that we will hold them accountable.

Jacob Zuma, just before the elections, spoke of Constitutional Court judges as being ‘not Gods’ and ‘only human’. Quite so – but the same is true of politicians, and this is why we show loyalty to the Constitution and all its checks and balances, with none of judiciary, legislature or executive holding all the power.

It is for us also to acknowledge that Jacob Zuma is ‘only human’, and affirm that, whatever his flaws, he has now been elected to the highest office in the land through a fully free and fair process (and let me here give warm congratulations to Hlope Bam and her colleagues at the IEC for a difficult and complex job well done). As our new President, he deserves our congratulations, and our prayers that he will discharge the responsibilities now entrusted to him to the very best of his abilities, and for the good of every citizen and resident of this country.

That said, I remain concerned at the many unanswered questions around not only Jacob Zuma and the NPA, but also the entire arms deal. Some politicians say we should draw a line, forgive and move on. But – regardless of whether or not judicial proceedings are involved – one lesson that we learnt through the TRC (and which is intrinsic to all forms of ‘restorative justice’) is that people cannot forgive, unless they know who they are forgiving, and for what. South Africans deserve to know the truth. Unless this is uncovered and acknowledged, it will inevitably remain a festering sore in our political life. I am convinced that the over-riding interests of our country would be best served by a full arms deal enquiry.

However painful revealing the truth may be for those involved, this is the only path to the healing and fresh start South Africa and its new President crave and need. As St John wrote, ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 Jn 1:8-9).

May I end by asking your prayers for another of my predecessors – Archbishop Phillip Russell, who did so much to hold our church together in divisive times, inviting us to receive in greater measure the Spirit’s love and empowerment. Remember him, in the increasing frailty of old age. Please also remember me and everyone participating in the Anglican Consultative Council meeting of 1 to 13 May.

Yours in the service of Christ,

+Thabo Cape Town