In this year's week of prayer for Christian unity, the recent death of an outstanding personality and influence in the ecumenical movement is fresh in our thoughts.
The Most Rev Henry Robert McAdoo died in St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin on Thursday, December 10th. He was formerly Archbishop of Dublin, Bishop of Glendalough and Primate of Ireland from 1977 until 1985.
Paying tribute to Dr McAdoo, Archbishop Eames said, "Archbishop McAdoo was one of the most outstanding Anglican scholars and leaders of this century. Far beyond his episcopal contributions to the life of the Church of Ireland, he played a vital and significant role in Anglican-Roman Catholic relations across the world through his co-chairmanship of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). He was widely respected for his careful and visionary chairmanship in the production of the commission's report, which will continue to influence ecumenical dialogue for generations."
His strong advocacy of Anglican principles, allied to a deep and disciplined spiritual lifestyle which he maintained even throughout failing health of late, contributed to the making of a man of God who was greatly respected. He is survived by his gracious wife, Lesley, and three children. We pray with them in the spirit of the communion of all believers, the Communion of Saints, and of the ecumenical movement. We rejoice in the belief under Christ's love that we and the faithful departed are more wonderfully united than ever.
In an impromptu prayer by Dr McAdoo, said at the end of a funeral of a much-loved colleague, the unity with God, with his colleague's ministry and church was expressed in a living and loving way. It is a prayer deeply helpful to those who are bereaved:
"Your servant was regenerated through the waters of Baptism and sealed by the Spirit; strengthened and refreshed by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist and set apart for the work of the ministry in your family by the same Spirit. Grant that we may be drawn closer to you in fellowship of the whole family in heaven and earth, through the perfect sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Our Lord. Amen."
The word "stickability" was a word Dr McAdoo often used in referring to faithful perseverance in living. In his years of retirement at Dalkey, Co Dublin, that quality of "stickability" was evident in all aspects of his life as it had been in his ministry in the church and in his wise and persevering service of the ecumenical vision through faithful prayers.
We thank God for the holy example of His saints - and for the memory and example of all that has been true and good in their lives.
W.W.