It is with sadness that Bishop Sean shares news of the death of the Right Reverend Harry Moore, second bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. He was 102.

Henry Wylie Moore was born in 1923. He spent much of his working life with the Church Mission Society beginning as a mission partner in Iran from 1957-60, followed by senior roles in London from 1974-83, when he was appointed Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf.

On 29 September 1983, the Feast of St Michael and All Angels, Bishop Harry was consecrated at Winchester Cathedral by the President Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Right Reverend Hassan Dehqani-Tafti—“the first time a bishop had been consecrated in England by the Primate of an overseas province”, says Diocesan Historian Canon Angela Murray.

Bishop Harry was enthroned in St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia on 1 November 1983 and at the Pro-Cathedral of St Christopher in Bahrain on 20 November 1983—marking the start of a tour of Gulf parishes with his wife, Betty.

Addressing the first meeting of Diocesan Synod, in 1984 at the Lordos Beach Hotel in Larnaca, Bishop Harry reflected: “Within the communities where we live, there are points of need and strain and tension. Whenever we can show a brotherly love, a caring interest, an accepting friendship and a helping hand to anyone of whatever nationality, language or religion, it is the Church’s concern to do so.”

Bishop Harry returned to CMS in 1986 to assume the role of general secretary. Writing at the time he said, “we are all called to discover the frontiers of mission around us right where we are and to give ourselves wholeheartedly to crossing those frontiers with Christ.

“It is a daunting but exciting prospect and God does not waste his servants’ time. He has something for each one to do.

“If one is called to the frontiers of prayer, let prayer be deep and costly. Let frontiers be crossed.

“If another is called to the frontiers of our multi-faith society, let there be sustained effort to meet, understand and relate to people of other faiths. Let frontiers be crossed.

“If yet another is called to go with Jesus across frontiers of political and economic life, let there be depth and perseverance in the search for God’s will. Let frontiers be crossed.” (CMS Magazine)

On behalf of the Diocese, Bishop Sean sends love and prayers to Bishop Harry’s family at this time of mourning.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

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