NEW ARCHBISHOP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21605, 6 January 1945, Page 3

NEW ARCHBISHOP

CANTERBURY SEE DR. GEOFFREY FISHER

PRACTICAL CHURCHMAN (9 a m 1 LONDON, Jan. 5. Dr. Geoffrey F. Fisher, Bishop of London, who has been nominated by His Maiestv the King as Archbishop of Canterbury in succession to the late Dr. W. Temple, is a great churchman and a brilliant scholar, tall anci rugged, with dark hair and twinkling eyes, a keen sense of humour and a wide outlook, states the Press Association.

I-Ie is essentially a family man, with a wife and six sons, whom he described as his assets, when he arrivecl in Chester as bishop in 1932. His words proved true, for their home became the centre for the life of the voiing people of the diocese. Chester was Dr. Fisher's first ecclesiastical appointment. He was previously, for 21 years, a schoolmaster. ’ Chester soon realised that the new bishop was a practical man with wide sympathies. He once acted as an organ-grinder in the streets while nurses collected for a local infirmary; also organised a football team in which he and his six sons and those af another bishop and a parson played against the cathedral choir boys. “Non-Political” Bishop During his five years as Bishop of London he has made a multitude of friends among all classes in the community. His practical sympathy with air-raid victims appealed to the hearts of thousands, and his preaching, always practical as well as scholarly, 'attracted large congregalions. Dr. Fisher has often been called the “non-political” bishop. He preached co-operation in family life, education, community and social life, holding that it “increases the effectiveness of our witness to Christian principles and their influence upon the public mind.” Dr. Fisher also follows the tradition of his late predecessor, Dr. Temple, in his efforts towards interdenominational co-operation, and frequently has expressed strong views on the need for social reforms. He rebuked a number of clerics who protested when the Salvation Army was permitted to hold a commemoration service for General William Booth in St. Paul's Cathedral. It is not the first time that Dr. Fisher has succeeded Dr. Temple, for at the age of 27 he followed mm as headmaster of Repton School, which post be held for 18 years until he went to Chester as bishop.