Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Canon John L Peterson, Washington Cathedral

The Rt Revd David Beetge

When we received word last Friday in Jerusalem that Bishop David Beetge had died, there was total disbelief. Kirsten and I had spent a wonderful evening with Carol and David at the Lambeth Conference and although David was under treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he looked great and was "vintage" David. It was a night of lots of laughter and recollection of the "good old days."

During my term as Secretary General, David played a pivotal role in the Anglican Communion. He was invited by Archbishop George Carey to attend the Mississauga meeting of Bishops in the Anglican Communion and their counterparts in the Roman Catholic Church. Out of that meeting David was appointed to serve as the Co-chair of the New Commission, The International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, (IARCCUM). In that capacity David served on the Informal Talks between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

But David was not only a committed ecumenist, but also a dedicated Bishop to the poor and oppressed. David was passionate about HIV/AIDS in his Diocese of the

Highveld as well as in the Province of Southern Africa. For several years David served as the Dean of the Province, a position he held until his death.

The Diocese of the Highveld, the Province of Southern Africa and the Anglican Communion has lost an outstanding Bishop in the Church. We have lost a great friend, a compassionate Bishop and a dedicated and loyal partner for his dear wife, Carol.

May the soul of David rest in Peace.

The Revd Canon John Peterson
Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
1995-2004