Anglican Communion News Service

A tribute from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Revd Canon John L. Peterson.

Anglicans who are involved in the ecumenical movement feel great sadness and loss at the news of the death of Fr Tillard on Monday 13 November.

Fr Jean was a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) since its beginning in 1970 and has been a major influence in the search for unity between the Roman Catholic Church and the Churches of the Anglican Communion. As recently as last May at the historic meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops in Mississauga, Canada, Fr Jean was present as a special theological consultant who brought vision and challenge to the representatives from both Communions.

Those have worked with Fr Jean will remember him as an intuitive and penetrating theologian, a passionate ecumenist, and a warm and humorous friend. Our condolences go to his community at the Couvent des Domincains in Ottawa.

May he rest in peace.