from Religion Media Centre
The Archbishop of Canterbury has led tributes to the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, who has died from pancreatic cancer less than a month after diagnosis. He was 64.
He was ordained 40 years ago and served as a parish priest in London until becoming a Bishop, first of Aston and then Guildford, where he moved in 2014.
In a tribute, Archbishop Sarah Mullally said: “He was a gentle man and generous with those who held differing theological views. He will be greatly missed, not just by his family and friends, but by the whole church”.
There was tremendous shock in the diocese at the news of his illness and more than a thousand people visited the cathedral for a day of prayer.
His wife Beverly, a parish priest, and their four children, were with him when he died.
The Diocese of Guildford announcement is here.