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Provincial Notices

RIP Bishop Merwyn Castle

A letter from the Archbishop to the Bishop of False Bay, the Right Revd Margaret Vertue:

Dear Bishop Margaret

I write to convey the condolences of the Diocese of Cape Town and of the Province to you and your Diocese upon hearing the sad news of the death of Bishop Merwyn Castle.

Bishop Merwyn was known to us all as a gentle, caring soul who loved the Church deeply and cared for her people tirelessly. In various capacities, including Dean of Johannesburg, Chaplain to the then Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bishop-Suffragan of Cape Town, he was an example of humility and self-sacrifice. Persecuted at times for an aspect of his identity which he did not choose – his sexual orientation – he bore the resulting suffering with dignity and forbearance.

However, the principal legacy for which the Church will remember him is his establishment of the Diocese of False Bay, and his election as the first Bishop of your Diocese. It was in this role until his retirement that the finest qualities of his ministry came to full fruition. It was no doubt partly in response to his gentle shepherding that such a diverse Diocese became a pioneer in South Africa and the Province in electing you as his successor.

May Merwyn’s dear soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

++Thabo Cape Town

13 replies on “RIP Bishop Merwyn Castle”

Thank you Your Grace. I knew him from the days of his diaconate in mid 60’s. under the late Father John Hess (father of +RH) Also as he built the parish of St. Johns Belgravia
Sincerely Carl

Dear Carl, Bishop Mervyn was a gentle and connsiderate man to the end. We met him through Crispin Harrison CR. And we had hoped to meet up with him last year. Did you also know Fr Peter Beard @ S Claires Hout Bay?

Sad to hear of +Merwyn departure from this world to Eternity. He has gentle laid his bricks in building the Body of Christ the Church, and God’s Kingdom. May he rest in peace in the arms of the loving Risen Christ in glory Everlasting! Condolences to the Diocese of False Bay, +Margaret and Friends!!!

Condolences on the passing of Bishop Mervyn Castle.
Rest In Peace.
Schovell and Jacobs Families
Melbourne Australia

I feel very sad on hearing the news of Bishop Merwyn’s passing a way. A gentle soul indeed! I worked with him in Religious Life Council from 2003-2007 when I was a treasurer in Religious Life. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory!

Dear Members in South Africa,

Please accept my condolences from Dubai United Arab Emirates.

As a St Lukes Eersteriver member and a ex confirmation candidate who had the privilege to be blessed into the Anglican community by Bishop Mervyn, I was so sad to hear of your loss.

Although we have lost a beloved, always remember the memories and life experiences will always they live within our hearts forever.

Love and Light to all
Kim Kapp

To the Diocese of False Bay and family of the Rt. Rev. Merwyn Castle,

I want to express my condolences and also the sadness that is felt throughout the Communion at hearing of his falling asleep in the Lord. Bishop Merwyn was someone whose episcopal ministry sent the message that the Church is still growing and being challenged by the Holy Spirit to reach God’s marginalised and oppressed children. Bishop Merwyn’s own ministry let me know that I can follow God’s call in my life. Memory eternal and rise in glory with our Lord Christ.

Blessings,

The Rev. John Collins
In The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

I knew +Mervyn when he was studying for the priesthood in Alice at the seminary there. i was only a very young schoolboy, but he always went out of his way to be friendly, charming and bright. He was a star.

Dear Trevor, we were so pleased to meet up with Bishop Mervyn a wise man. I don’t know that he studied in Alice. But Crispin CR taught there, regrettably the Community announced only a few days ago that the dear father is not expected to live, requesting that we pray for the doctors and nurses as they make his last days peaceful. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more innformation.

Condolences to the Castle family. I only learnt recently of the passing of Mervyn, a close schoolmate from Trafalgar High. May his dear soul rest in peace.

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