Tony Palmer (†): The sudden death of a friend reminds me of the center of our faith

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My last photo with Tony Palmer in St Peter’s Cathedral

My last photo with Tony Palmer in St Peter’s Cathedral

My friend Bishop (†) Tony Palmer died on Sunday 20th July, 2014, after injuries sustained in a motorbike hit-and-run accident – in spite of a operation of several hours. Thus close are life and death. We just had visited the Pope and had far reaching dreams, and how is no longer among us.

He was at home on four continents. Born and raised in South Africa he lived in the USA, in Argentina, in Britain and Italy. In the end he was constantly traveling all over the world, something we had in common.

He already may see, what we only believe for now. The community with Jesus Christ, he saw as what the Pope and we have in common first of all, has come to its fulfillment for him.

Palmer’s bio from the web

„Anthony Joseph ‘Tony’ Palmer was a British-born South African Bishop with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches a Communion of Dioceses and Ministries that are inspired by the ‘middle way’ of classic Anglicism Anglican Communion and count themselves as part of the Convergence Movement. They were originally inspired by Bishop Lesslie Newbigin, a British theologian, missiologist, missionary and author.“ (Wikipedia on the day of his death)

This is the entry of the Community he lead, as it stood on the day of his death:

„Tony is an ordained Minister, ordained by the Anglican/Episcopal Church, within the CEEC (Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches). He relates directly to his Archbishop, Robert Wise as his Canon to Church Unity Affairs (www.theceec.org). Our Community is also consecrated within the CEEC as an Inter-denominational Christian Community, and enjoys much input from Father Robert’s wisdom.

Tony is initially trained as a Medical Underwriter (Med. Dip. 1987), with further specialised studies in HIV/AIDS management (WITS University Medical School, RSA). He accepted his vocation to full-time Ministry in 1993 and then studied for 3 years at a Christian College (Rhema Bible Training Centre, RSA). He has also completed a short course in Biblical Archaeology and Biblical Studies (UNISA University, RSA), has a Masters Degree in Philosophy, “College of Theology” (St. Alcuin’s Seminary, USA), and has an English Teachers Certificate from Cambridge University, UK (CELTA).

Tony is currently busy with his Doctorate Degree in “Early Church” studies (33-600 A.D), with a particular interest in the Community life of the early Celtic Church.

Emiliana also completed 3 years of Biblical Studies at the same Christian College (RBTC), and also holds a Cambridge English Teachers Certificate (CELTA). Together, Emiliana and Tony had the privilege of serving as Directors for Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, KCM RSA, and Tony served as Development Director at Acres of Love, providing homes for abandoned HIV/AIDS babies and children.“

My commentary in German on the day of Palmer’s death

Dies war der Kommentar, den ich direkt nach seinem Tod an das PRO-Magazin geschickt habe:

„Ein sehr guter Freund ist völlig überraschend bei einem Unfall gestorben. Eben waren wir noch beim Papst und diskutierten, unter welchen Umständen wir mit dem Papst erneut die Gemeinsame Erklärung zur Rechtfertigung unterzeichnen könnten, da ist er bei dem Herrn und Erlöser, über den wir die ganze Zeit gesprochen haben.

Anthony Palmer war im Herzen ein Missionar, der auf allen Kontinenten wirkte und auf dreien gelebt hat. Er war ein Brückenbauer zwischen den Konfessionen, nahm aber die tiefgreifenden theologischen Unterschiede dabei immer sehr ernst und blieb im Herzen immer ein Evangelikaler, der wahren Glauben nur in der persönlichen Begegnung mit Jesus und einem Leben mit ihm wiederfand. Das war es auch, was ihn mit dem Papst verband. Christliche Leiter in aller Welt werden eine Motor der Ökumene vermissen.“

In der Meldung zu Palmers Tod hieß es in der PRO dann:

„Noch im Juni hatte Thomas Schirrmacher, deutscher Theologe und Menschenrechtsexperte bei der Weltweiten Evangelischen Allianz, zusammen mit Tony Palmer und vier weiteren evangelikalen und charismatischen Leitern den Papst in einer Delegation zu einem privaten Gespräch besucht. Palmer hatte den Weg zu dem Treffen bereitet. Schirrmacher würdigte Palmer gegenüber dem Medienmagazin pro als einen «Missionar, der auf allen Kontinenten wirkte» und als «Brückenbauer zwischen den Konfessionen». Dabei habe Palmer die tiefgreifenden theologischen Unterschiede immer sehr ernst genommen, erklärte Schirrmacher. Palmer blieb «im Herzen immer ein Evangelikaler, der wahren Glauben nur in der persönlichen Begegnung mit Jesus und einem Leben mit ihm wiederfand», sagte Schirrmacher. «Christliche Leiter in aller Welt werden einen Motor der Ökumene vermissen».“ (Quelle)

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In German:

 

 

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