Tributes paid to Bishop of Buckingham after unexpected death

Tributes have been paid to the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, who died unexpectedly over the weekend.

His passing was announced by the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, who called him “a pricey friend and colleague to many across the diocese”.

“Alan loved God and loved God’s church with a rare passion. He was a bishop who prioritised the parishes and clergy in his care above the whole lot else and served the people of Buckinghamshire with devotion over an extended and demanding ministry,” said Bishop Croft.

Wilson was Bishop of Buckingham for over 20 years. He was a robust advocate within the Church of England for victims of abuse in addition to LGBT equality. 

His death comes not long after starting a sabbatical that he had intended to make use of to plan for his retirement next yr.

Prayers were said for him and his family in the course of the evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford on Sunday. 

“I’ll miss him as a friend and colleague. The Church has lost a sensible, pastoral and prophetic bishop,” Bishop Croft added.

The Archdeacon of Buckingham, Guy Elsmore, who worked closely with Wilson, “Along with Alan’s other colleagues and the clergy and lay people of Buckinghamshire, I’m deeply saddened by this unexpected news.

“We have lost a courageous, sensible and exceptional pastoral leader and teacher. Alan’s ministry was centred in people, in valuing every body he met and in the search to expand the circle of the Church’s like to embrace all. He will likely be deeply missed by us all.”

Tributes have been paid on social media. 

Lawyer Richard Scorer, who has represented many Church abuse victims, said, “Such devastating news and I’m struggling to take it in. Alan at all times spoke up for survivors. A sensible, empathetic and witty friend. My thoughts are with all those that loved him.” 

Former child protection lawyer Martin Sewell said Wilson “was the one CofE bishop fully trusted by the survivor community”.

“We must honour his memory by carrying on his work of living the love of Christ,” he said. 

Conservative Anglican commentator Adrian Hilton said, “I’m shocked and saddened to listen to of the death of the Rt Rev’d Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham. We had our theological and political differences over time, but I also knew him as a person of great integrity and compassion who challenged power and corruption.”