Bishop Alan Clark of East Anglia

Tracy Jo Smith assesses the life of a pioneer ecumenist who helped Anglican priests to take the Roman option
Bishop Alan Clark, a leading ecumenist who helped pioneer the "fast track" ordination process which allowed former Anglican clergy to become Catholic priests, has died at the age of 82, after a distinguished life, which included serving 18 years as the first bishop of the new diocese of East Anglia.
During his long and varied career, Bishop Clark was Chairman of the Department for Mission and Unity of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
As Bishop of East Anglia, he was the first Catholic bishop to ordain former Anglicans to the Catholic priesthood. Many of the new intake were located in or near Walsingham, the Marian shrine patronised by both Catholics and Anglicans.
One of many prominent clergymen to pay tribute, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, president of the bishops' conference, said: "Bishop Alan Clark was a fine pastoral bishop, much loved by priests and people of the Diocese of East Anglia.
"He will be remembered for many things, but especially his robust and faithful advocacy of the ecumenical endeavour.
"Bishop Clark exercised his theological and pastoral gifting in many ways both to his own diocese, to the Catholic bishops' conference and to the wider Christian family both nationally and internationally. Truly, he can be termed a good shepherd. May he rest in peace."
Bishop Clark's successor at East Anglia, Archbishop Peter Smith, said: "I was very saddened to hear of the death of Bishop Alan Clark.
"As the first Bishop of East Anglia, he worked tremendously hard in building up the fledgling diocese when it was established from the mother Diocese of Northampton in 1976.
"He was a dedicated priest and Bishop who was also a great ecumenist. He loved the Church and he loved life and threw all his energies into both. In recent years, he had to come to terms with the stroke he suffered which severely restricted what he was able to do. However, he was cheerful to the last and his sometimes crusty sense of humour was still very evident."
Archbishop Patrick Kelly of LIverpool,who is to preach at Bishop Clark's funeral Mass in the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist, Norwich, was a student for the priesthood in met Bishop Clark. They were to work later in the development of prospective priests, when the Archbishop was Rector of St Mary's College, Oscott, Birmingham.
Describing Bishop Clark as a "gracious, joyful spirit", Archbishop Kelly said: "I will remember Alan Clark as a fellow bishop and especially his long, generous and wise service in the ecumenical journey.
"He was the first Roman Catholic co-chairman of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission whose long and grateful work led to the groundbreaking joint statements on the Eucharist, on Holy Orders and Authority.
"For a time I was privileged to be part of that work. When the present Cardinal; succeeded him, it was clear how greatly the work of Bishop Clark had laid significant and lasting foundations. I suppose it is not surprising that in many ways he remained my `vice-rector' and it was typical of his that during our first meeting of the bishops of England and Wales which I attended as a bishop he made the following comment: 'Patrick, you were appointed to speak, don't remain silent much longer.'
Retired Anglican Bishop Peter Nott said his friendship with Bishop Clerk not only survived, but even deepened through the difficult time for both Anglican and Catholic Communions over the ordination of women.
Bishop Nott said: "We were able to be totally honest with each other and kept no secrets from each other. We handled every case together as pastors, and for that reason I like to think that the entire controversy was handled rather better in East Anglia than in some areas.
"Honesty and charity are sometimes difficult characteristics to hold together. Alan was an exemplar of both virtues. Alan never compromised on matters of theological truth, but we always knew that central to we are on a pilgrimage, with much to learn and discover."
It was his commitment to the Catholic Faith that made him stand out according to Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham.
He said: "Bishop Alan Clark had a real and abiding passion for the faith. In him the words of St Paul found true expression: 'Fight the good fight.' I so enjoyed being in his company and catching some of his joy and enthusiasm, I will miss him. May he rest in peace."
Alan Clark was born in August 1919 in Bickley, Kent, of Anglican parents who became Catholics two years later. His primary education was at Holy Trinity Convent in Bromley, but in 1928 he joined the Westminster Cathedral Choir, where he became a Chorister.
He began his studies for the priesthood in 1935 at Mark Cross, the junior seminary for Southwark Diocese, and in 1938 went to the English College, Rome, to complete his higher studies. was evacuated to St Mary's College, Stonyhurst, Lancashire, where he completed his studies.
In 1945, he was ordained priest in his home parish at Bromley. After completing his Licentiate of Theology at Heythrop, he was appointed curate to St. Philip's, Arundel, in July 1945. He returned to Rome in October, 1946, to study theology at the Gregorian University, achieving his doctorate in theology summa cum laude.
In 1974, he was invited to address the General Synod of the Church of England, being the first Catholic bishop to do so. Two years later he was appointed the first bishop of the new diocese of East Anglia.
Following his 75th birthday in August 1994, Bishop Clark stepped down as Bishop of East Anglia, and five years later, after suffering a stroke, moved to a nursing home.
Bishop Clark's funeral will be held at St John's Cathedral, Norwich, at which Archbishop Smith will be the main celebrant.