At the funeral of the late Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, the whole of the Anglican Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury were represented by the Most Reverend Ian Ernest, personal representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Rome and Director of the Anglican Centre, who led the Anglican delegation constituted of the Right Reverend Christopher Hill, representing ARCIC, and the Suffragan Bishop of Europe, the Right Reverend David Hamid. The Anglican delegation joined leaders from other Christian denominations who had come to Rome to pay their last homage to Pope Benedict XVI, globally acclaimed as one of the great theologians of our time. His whole life as a theologian and as a Church leader was firmly founded on his ability to give reasoning a place of choice in the exercise of his calling as a disciple of Christ. The funeral ceremony was simple, sober, and reflected in a profound way the discreet personality of the late Pope. The whole Church benefits from his scholarly contribution to theological thinking and remains for us a rich source of learning as we engage with our faith in the world today. 

 

"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." Psalm 31:5

Archbishop Ian with Bishop David Hamid and Rev. Christopher Hill and with other ecumenical delegates.