Bishop of Guildford – Andrew Watson. 1961-2026

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Bishop of Guildford -The Right Reverend Andrew Watson. 

Bishop Andrew who was just 64 at his passing, has held the role for the past eleven years and was a prominent and well-loved figure in the community. The Archbishop of Canterbury – Sarah Mullally who visited Andrew at home before he died, said that he was a “Man of deep Christian Faith who had made an enormous contribution to the life of the Church of England”. 

Andrew was suffering from pancreatic cancer – both aggressive and difficult to manage and he bravely announced his diagnosis publicly last month informing, his diocese that he may only have a month left to live, sadly an accurate estimate, and in his statement said, “I don’t fear the prospect of Dying and find, to my relief, that my faith in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting has only grown stronger over the past few weeks. I’ve sometimes had private worries that, when faced with the starkness of a terminal diagnosis, my faith in the risen Christ might falter. Well, it hasn’t. Or better still, God hasn’t faltered, quite the reverse”. 

During the past year in my role of High Sheriff, I have seen him at work on many occasions but I particularly recall the VE80 Service of Thanksgiving and his offering in May of last year where the picture was taken (Andrew is far right).  I also fondly remember the carol service we both attended in HMP High Down last December when he addressed the congregation of over 100 inmates. 

It has been heartwarming to read the many tributes to him, described as a generous and gentle man, inspiring, a very active and committed Christian, and of course courageous. His bravery had already been established when last year he faced (as he said) his ‘rather feeble fear of heights’ by abseiling from the roof of Guildford Cathedral as part of a programme of events which raised £28,000 for the ‘Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund’. This enabled ten grants to support community projects that are providing meals for vulnerable families, hosting cafes for those who are isolated, as well as funding youth and community work across Surrey and Hampshire. This is an annual campaign that is launched on the first day of Lent each year. 

Suzanne and I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Andrew’s Family and our sincere thanks to him for his devoted service to the diocese. May the words he offered whilst facing the end of this life offer comfort to others in a similar situation and may he rest in peace. 

If you would like to donate in Andrew’s memory, find out more at; https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/about-us/news/bishop-of-guildford-appeals-for-record-levels-of-giving-this-lent.php