Anglican Communion News Service

The Bishop of Egypt with North Africa, The Rt Revd Dr. Mouneer Anis, wishes to inform you of the passing of the first Egyptian Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa, the Rt. Rev. Ishaq Musa'ad:

The Rt Revd Ishaq Musa'ad, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa 1974-81 and the first Egyptian Bishop of the Diocese, died on 17 July in Cairo, after a lifetime of dedicated service. Isaq Musa'ad was born in Assiut on 21 January 1911. His father was an elder of the Presbyterian Church. The children were educated at Assiut College, from which Ishaq graduated in May 1938. He immediately felt drawn to Christian service and worked for four years in a Students' Club with Mr. John Hay Walker in Alexandria, taking a full share in the Sunday Services and Sunday School.

In July 1935 he married Faiza, daughter of the pastor of his home church at Beni Adiot, Assiut. They had two children, Samir and Saamia and four grandchildren.

In January 1937 Isha'aq Mushaad joined the work of the Church Missionary Society in Boulac, Cairo, in the Blind School, in the Boys' Club and in the office of the Christian magazine "Orient and Occident".

In 1940 Ishaq Musa'ad and Faiza were confirmed by Bishop Gwynne and became full members of the Episcopal Church. In 1950 he felt called to ordination, and after two years training at St Aidan's College, Birkenhead, gaining the Diploma of Theology, he was ordained Deacon on St James' Day, July 25th 1952 by Bishop Geoffrey Allen on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Rev. Ishaq Musa'ad served first at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Giza, under the supervision of Archdeacon Adeeb Shammas, until his ordination as priest in June 1953. He continued at Giza till 1960. He took over the duties of Administrator of Old Cairo Hospital in addition to his parochial duties and shared in the pastoral duties at St Mark's with All Saints', Alexandria.

In 1960 he was appointed Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Heliopolis, where he served until his consecration as Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa.

In August 1973 he was a delegate to the Anglican Congress in Toronto and he spent an academic year at St. Augustine's College, Canterbury, the Central College of the Anglican Communion. At that time he and Bishop Cragg together translated into English Mohammed Abdu's book, "The Theology of Unity". He also translated several books into Arabic and wrote many articles for the Church Magazine. He continued to be involved in writing and translating throughout his life and his latest work, a translation into Arabic of William Barclay's "The Lord's Prayer" has just been published.

In 1971 he succeeded Canon Adeeb Shammas as Archdeacon in Egypt and Commissary to the Archbishop of Jerusalem. In November 1974 Archdeacon Ishaaq Musa'ad was appointed and consecrated as the first Egyptian Bishop of the Diocese. During the following years he ordained and consecrated many priests and ministers. Also he laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral in Zamalek and the attached buildings.

After his retirement as Diocesan, Bishop Ishaq continued to serve as Priest in Charge of St Michael and All Angels, Heliopolis, until 1989, when he finally retired. But he continued to be a vital and dearly loved member of the diocesan family and an active participant in diocesan activities, respected for his wisdom, love and prayers.

He continued to attend Diocesan occasions until his death, including clergy retreats, ecumenical gatherings and synod meetings. He shared with Bishop Ghais in the consecration of the present Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis in May 2000.

Bishop Ishaq will be greatly missed as a dearly loved father figure of the diocese.