ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

Southland Times, Issue 25564, 6 January 1945, Page 4

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

KT. REV. G. F. FISHER NOMINATED (8.0.W.) R'UGBY, January 4. It is announced from Number 10, Downing street, that the King has been pleased to nominate the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev. Geoffrey F. Fisher, for election by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury in place of the late Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England and Metropolitan, Dr William Temple. Dr Fisher is a great churchman and a brilliant scholar. He is tai) and rugged with dark hair, twinkling eyes, a keen sense of humour and a wide outlook, states the Press Association. He is essentially a family man, with a wife and six sons, whom he described as his assets when he arrived at Chester as Bishop in 1932. His words proved true and their home became a centre for the life of young people. The Diocese of Chester was his. first ecclesiastical appointment. He previously was 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. He also organized a football team, in which he and his six sons, and those of another bishop and parson, played against the cathedral choir boys. PRACTICAL PREACHING During his five years as Bishop of London, he made a multitude of friends among all classes of 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 congregations. Dr Fisher has often been called a non-political bishop.. He preached cooperation 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 inter-denominational cooperation and his frequently 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 William Booth in St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is not the first time Dr Fisher has succeeded Dr Temple, for, at the age of 27, he followed him as headmaster of Repton, which post Dr Fisher held for 18 years until he went to Chester.