Archbishop praises pioneer ecumenist

BY TRACY JO SMITH
THE ARCHBISHOP of Liverpool has led the thanksgiving for the life of one of the Catholic Church's most committed ecumenists.
Preaching at the Funeral Mass of Bishop Alan Clark of East Anglia, Archbishop Patrick Kelly paid tribute to his brother bishop's "grace, graciousness, fidelity, friendship, joy and wit".
Bishop Clark was the first Catholic bishop to ordain former Anglicans to the Catholic priesthood.
Archbishop Kelly told the congregation at the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist, Norwich, that Bishop Clark was warm, enthusiastic, rigorous and faithful to his work — three great statements "minted" by the resolute labours of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission carry his name: Ministry and Ordination, Authority in the Church and Eucharistic Doctrine. Archbishop Kelly continued: "We know we must give thanks to the Lord who gave Alan Clark a spirit open to others."
The former Bishop of Fast Anglia, Archbishop Peter Smith. Archbishop Michael Bowen and Archbishop Vincent Nichols were also present at the funeral.