Tributes paid to Richard Harries, former bishop of Oxford

The late Richard Harries, the previous bishop of Oxford, has been honoured following his passing earlier this week.

Born in 1936 and ordained as a priest in 1964, Harries served as Bishop of Oxford from 1993 until his retirement in 2006. Harries was a prolific creator, with 26 books to his name, and was considered something of a liberal inside the Church of England.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, described Harries’ death as a “great loss” for each the Church of England and the nation as a complete.

Writing on X, she said, “His wisdom, compassion and profound commitment to the common good will probably be missed within the Church, the House of Lords and beyond. As I pray for his family and all who mourn, I give because of God for a life so well lived in service to Jesus Christ. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

In a tribute to Harries, the Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, described Harries as “a rare example of a humane, intelligent and compassionate Anglicanism, serving the Church of England and the nation with great distinction”.

Following his retirement as bishop, Harries was granted a life peerage, meaning he could proceed to serve within the House of Lords, albeit as a temporal quite than spiritual lord.

Chessun added that Harries “was a distinguished member of the House of Lords – I used to be present when he spoke for the last time at the tip of March on the Assisted Dying Bill which he did with great authority and with out a single note. His writings explored the implications of the Faith with searching conviction that was credible yet humble. I give thanks for his life and witness, and commend him in addition to Jo and their family to your prayers presently of loss.”

The Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough, said it had “been a privilege” to have Harries and his wife in a Kingston parish.

“I used to be conscious how we had in Bishop Richard one among the greats of Church of England bishops with such a distinguished episcopal and academic profession. And yet I used to be struck by the humility with which he wore it. I give thanks for his life, witness and public service and pray for all who mourn his passing.”

Labour MP and former priest Chris Bryant shared his own personal experience of Harries, writing on X, “I’m very sorry to listen to that Richard Harries has died. He was a stunning kind intelligent and spiritual man who served as Bishop of Oxford and a member of the House of Lords. Many will know his books or his radio appearances. But I knew him because the man who ordained me. RIP”.