Exdean’s life celebrated at ‘his cathedral’
THE life of former St Paul’s Cathedral dean the Ven Timothy Raphael was celebrated at ‘‘his cathedral’’ in Dunedin yesterday.
Mr Raphael, who was dean of the cathedral from 196573, died on November 16, 2016, in Cheltenham, England.
Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Trevor James told about 60 people at the service the cathedral was very much Mr Raphael’s.
‘‘This is so much his cathedral. ‘‘Cathedral builder is the phrase on the plaque and it’s welldeserved.’’
He first heard about Mr Raphael when he was a theology student at St John’s College in 1972, Dr James said.
‘‘He was known to be the youngest dean at the time in the Anglican community and he was known to be a fine preacher.’’
After leaving his role in Dunedin, Mr Raphael moved with his wife and three young children to England, where he was vicar of St John’s Wood in London from 1973 to 1983 and Archdeacon of Middlesex from 1983 to 1996.
Despite leaving his role in Dunedin more than 40 years ago, Mr Raphael’s clear idea of the purpose of a sermon had stuck with him, Dr James said.
‘‘He believed it should inform the mind, warm the heart and move the will.’’
Mr Raphael’s son Julian said at the memorial his father’s last position involved looking after 100 parishes.
He had clear memories of him in St Paul’s.
‘‘My father was up there and it was just lovely to be in this important building and hear my father speak.’’
After the public memorial Mr Raphael’s ashes were interred at the cathedral.