Runcie, Robert (1921–2000). Archbishop of Canterbury. After war service as a tank commander, winning the MC, Runcie graduated from Brasenose College, Oxford. He was successively principal of Cuddesdon Theological College (1960), bishop of St Albans (1970), and archbishop (1980). A liberal catholic, witty and intelligent, he developed Canterbury's quasi-patriarchal role by frequent visits overseas, including at least seven to Africa, two to China, and several to eastern Europe and in 1988 to the USSR. To ‘Europeanize Canterbury’ he fostered relations with other west European churches, whether catholic or protestant. As the first archbishop to propose ‘an ecumenical primacy’ for Rome, he welcomed Pope John Paul II on the first ever papal visit to Canterbury cathedral (1982). Vilified by the media for compassion towards bereaved Argentinians after the Falklands War (1982) and also for Faith in the City (1985), a report exposing poor urban conditions, Runcie also faced controversy over women's ordination. The first women deacons were ordained in his primacy (1987). He retired in 1991.

Revd Dr William M. Marshall