The Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Britain's Queen Elizabeth died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
photo: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby paid homage to Queen Elizabeth in 2013 / Photo Credit: Anthony Devlin / Reuters / Pool
Statement from The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II
“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
-Queen Elizabeth II 1947
Dear Siblings in Christ,
Today I join with millions around the world in giving thanks for the life, witness, and service of Queen Elizabeth II. My prayers are with the Royal Family and those across the world whose lives have been impacted by her loss. For over 70 years Queen Elizabeth has been the model of religious piety and devoted service to in others.
Queen Elizabeth’s grace, strength, and dignity have been the hallmark of her life and will continue to inspire generations yet to come.
May she rest in Christ’s peace and rise in resurrection glory.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
Eleventh Bishop of Missouri
Statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Today we mourn the passing and celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. My prayers for peace go out for her, for her loved ones, and for all those who knew and loved her throughout the world.
Her resilience, her dignity, and her model of quiet faith and piety have been—and will continue to be—an example for so many.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Statement from the Most Rev. and Rt. Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
To Primates of the Anglican Communion & Moderators of the United Churches
Your Graces, dear sister and brothers in Christ,
It is with deep sadness that I write this letter to you, on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Late Majesty was not only Queen of the United Kingdom but was also Queen and Head of State of 15 other nations - territories served by many provinces of our Anglican Communion.
Through her annual Christmas messages to the Commonwealth, we heard, in her own words, Her Late Majesty’s witness to her strong Christian faith.
As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and as a faithful Christian disciple, Her Late Majesty lived out her faith every day of her life. Her trust in God and profound love for him was foundational in how she led her life – hour by hour, day by day.
In Her Late Majesty’s life we saw what it means to receive the gift of life we have been given by God and – through patient, humble, selfless service – share it as a gift to others.
Her Late Majesty found great joy and fulfilment in the service of her people and her God “whose service is perfect freedom” (BCP). For giving her whole life to us, and allowing her life of service to be an instrument of God’s peace among us, we owe Her Late Majesty a debt of gratitude beyond measure.
Her Late Majesty leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy: one that is found in almost every aspect of our national life, as well as the lives of so many nations around the world, and especially in the Commonwealth.
I ask you to join me in prayers for the Royal Family, and especially for the new King.
Pray too for the people of all the countries in His Majesty’s realms and territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
And may I humbly ask you to pray for me, too: that God will strengthen, guide and support me in my duties at this time of mourning; as I assure you, too, of my continuing prayers for you all; and especially for the provinces which serve areas included in Her Late Majesty’s realms and territories.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby
Archbishop of Canterbury
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