Bishop Michael Henshall,
R.I.P.
A
tribute
On
Saturday 18th February we travelled to
Newcastle Cathedral to attend the Thanksgiving Eucharist
for the late Bishop
Michael Henshall.
Michael’s funeral had taken place the previous day at
Whitley
Bay with just the family present, so the Eucharist was
an opportunity for
family, friends and ex-colleagues to celebrate Michael’s
life.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Nick, Michael’s middle
son,
now Dean of Chelmsford, Caroline gave a tribute and
Christopher read from T.S.Eliot’s
‘Little Gidding’. Mark Boyling, Dean of Carlisle and one
time in Liverpool,
preached.
It was lovely to meet up with the family again. It seems
only yesterday that they arrived at St Faith’s; it was
in fact the late 70s.
Christopher, Nick and Caroline were all teenagers then-
now they each have
their own grown up families.
Bishop Michael had been 20 years a parish priest and it
showed in his concern for and understanding of parishes
and their priests. He
was pastorally very good to the clergy, but stood no
nonsense.
As Bishop he formed a great partnership with David
Sheppard
for some twenty years. The diocese was well-structured
and organised, with
accountability and support provided for all clergy.
Bishop Michael, with Steve his wife, were good friends
to St
Faith’s. They were very hospitable, offering
Martinsfield, their lovely home,
for parish and charitable functions. Michael also
offered constructive
criticism to the vicar of the day!
Michael was a dynamic
preacher, adding to his stature by standing on tip toes
in the pulpit. He was
humorous, good hearted and a loyal friend. He had his
priorities. When he
proposed to Steve he told her it was God first, Church
second and her third,
and that was how it was to be. Michael and Steve were
devoted to each other and
he never really got over her too early death.They are
both remembered with
affection and gratitude.
May they rest in peace.
Fr Peter and Margaret Goodrich
