In memoriam: Bishop Douglas Ford

 — Jan. 29, 200729 janv. 2007

Bishop Douglas Albert Ford, who stressed ecumenism as diocesan bishop of Saskatoon, died Jan. 23 at the age of 89. When he was consecrated bishop in 1970, “it was the aftermath of Vatican II and (Archbishop of Canterbury) Michael Ramsey’s visit to Pope Paul VI,” recalled Archbishop Michael Peers, former primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, in an interview.

Bishop Ford was instrumental in starting a twice-yearly meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in Saskatchewan, noted Archbishop Peers, who was a colleague of Bishop Ford in Saskatchewan, having served from 1977 to 1986 as bishop of Qu’Appelle, based in Regina. “We did joint statements around uranium mining, which was destined for weapons production – a very controversial issue. We were also against low-level cruise missile testing,” Archbishop Peers noted. Bishop Ford was the first chair of the Saskatoon Council of Churches and strongly supported union with the United Church of Canada, a move that failed in 1975.

Bishop Ford retired from the episcopate in 1981. He returned to parish ministry in the Calgary suburb of Cochrane, retiring from that ministry in 1985. In retirement, he acted as priest-in-charge when parishes had vacancies and assisted the diocesan bishop in confirmations and other functions. He was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Emmanuel College, Saskatoon.

He is survived by Doris, his wife of 62 years; two sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Jan. 27 at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary.

Read this complete Anglican Journal obituary of Bishop Douglas Ford.

Posted: Jan. 29, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=290
Categories: Anglican Journal, Memorials • In this article: Anglican, Saskatoon Transmis : 29 janv. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=290
Catégorie : Anglican Journal, Memorials • Dans cet article : Anglican, Saskatoon