It is with sadness that it has been announced from Buckingham Palace the news of the death of HRH Prince Philip.
Statement by Bishop Peter
On behalf of the Diocese of Sodor and Man, I express deepest condolences and sadness at the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
A life of 99 years, and 73 years of married life blessed with four children, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, is a wonderful witness. As the longest-serving royal consort in British history, His Royal Highness gave to the nation and to the world an example of devotion, loyalty and faithfulness to duty which is surely his gift and his legacy to humanity.
We mourn with all who mourn, and we pray for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Lord of Mann, and for all the Royal Family in their sadness. As Christians, we trust too in the promises of Christ, and it is with confidence in God’s loving purposes that we commend Prince Philip to God’s love, in that sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. His was a life built upon the principles of devotion and faithfulness, and that loyalty and faithfulness surely now receives its reward.
Merciful Father and Lord of all life,
We praise you that we are made in your image
And reflect your truth and light.
We thank you for the life of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,
For the love that he received from you
And showed among us.
Above all, we rejoice at your gracious promise
To all your servants, living and departed,
That we shall rise again at the coming of Christ.
And we ask that in due time
We may share with our brother that clearer vision,
When we shall see your face in the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
+Peter
Sodor and Man
