It is with sadness that I share with the Province of B.C. And Yukon that  Archbishop David Crawley, a former Metropolitan, died on August 17.  

+David brought many gifts to his episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Kootenay, the Province and the National Church and shared them widely.  

The Very Rev'd Ken Gray described him in this way: "He was intelligent, confident, experienced, witty, a gifted conversationalist, a good theologian, politically savvy, well acquainted with the arts, and full of fun."  These words paint a fine picture of someone who had an enormous impact on our Church.  He was instrumental in ensuring good pastoral care for AIDS patients in the 1980's in Vancouver while Rector of St. Paul's Church.  He was elected Bishop of Kootenay in 1990 and helped to renew and strengthen the Diocese of Kootenay until his retirement in 2004.  His work as the Metropolitan of our Province was during the time that the Diocese of Cariboo was no longer able to sustain itself.   

    Archbishop David was a visionary, one who could imagine the Church in our times being different than when he was first ordained.  He recognized that the Holy Spirit has not finished with us yet!  His expansive view and entrepreneurial spirit has shaped and guided the Anglican Church of Canada and for that we are most grateful.   

    Our prayers go out to his wife Joan, his daughters and all of his family.  May +David rest in God's peace and may that same peace be known to all of his friends and family.  We are so thankful for +David's ministry among us.  

    A Funeral for Archbishop David will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral, Kelowna at 11:00am on September 1.  

 

+John