Bishop Henry Allingham Jerrim OBE, ED
Bishop in the Church of God
A Eulogy by The Rt Revd Phillip K. Newell AO delivered at a Service of Thanksgiving at St David’s Cathedral, Hobart, on Thursday 18 June 2009
When I picked up the telephone in Brisbane, one evening early in 1982, it was Bishop Henry Jerrim on the line. He told me that the Election Synod had elected me to be Bishop of Tasmania.
Following Bishop Robert Davies’ retirement as Bishop of Tasmania, Bishop Henry became Administrator. In that capacity he had already been leading the Diocese for longer than expected. The first Election Synod had seen Bishop Vernon Cornish move from Perth to Hobart, only, sadly, to die a week before his enthronement.
Henry was a wise, experienced and effective leader, but he knew that his role as Administrator was one more of a caretaker. Tasmania needed a Diocesan Bishop.
When I arrived, I was glad to draw on his wisdom and experience and his deep knowledge of all things Tasmanian.
Except for his wartime service as a Chaplain to the Defence Force, Henry Jerrim had spent his whole life and ministry here. He knew well the challenges of the rural scene, having served in Smithton, Cullenswood, and Cygnet. He had also held benefices in urban situations like Devonport, St Stephen’s Sandy Bay, and St John’s Launceston, all capped by his consecration as a Bishop in 1974.
I learnt a great deal from him, and am glad to give thanks today for his mentorship, his friendship, and his example.
Henry was born in 1916, ordained deacon and priest in 1940 and 1941 respectively, so that when he retired in 1985, in his 70th year, he had faithfully and with great distinction served God and the people of this Diocese for some 45 years. And if his strength was found in God, his dependable ally was the unforgettable and equally committed Pru.
It was entirely fitting that Henry’s contribution to church and community was recognised by the conferring of an OBE, adding this honour to his Empire Decoration.
If I wanted to suggest a physical symbol which would represent the keynote of his ministry, it would be the pastoral staff.
Bishops carry such a mark of office, to remind them that they are to pattern themselves after the Good Shepherd himself. But being a pastor was the character of Henry’s ministry long before he carried the shepherd’s staff.
That is what he is best remembered for by those who knew him as their Rector. He knew his flock by name. He visited them. He was alongside them, sharing both their joys and their suffering. There is yet a larger dimension to his care for those in need.
Bishop Henry chaired a committee which examined the role of the Anglican Church in Tasmania in the area of social welfare. The report of his committee was not allowed to gather dust. Rather has it borne great fruit.
First came a small beginning with Anglican Financial Counselling Services. Out of that grew Anglican Family Care Services and that in turn blossomed into Anglicare Tasmania.
The Diocese has good cause to be proud of the ministy of Anglicare, and equal reason to thank God for the vision of Henry Jerrim.
Merle and I can testify to Henry’s pastoral heart. He became our pastor as well as our friend.
First, when I was ill for several months, it was Henry who visited us, prayed with us, ministered the Sacraments to us, and relieved my mind of anxiety about the oversight of the Diocese by once again taking on more responsibility and a greater workload.
The second example concerns the provision of space at Bishopscourt which would be allergy-friendly for Christopher. It made such a difference to the quality of life for our dear eldest son, and we shall never cease to be grateful for Henry Jerrim, the caring shepherd.
Many of you will have your own personal stories to recall and for which to give thanks today. It could be said of Bishop Henry that he was a person without guile. He was clear about what he believed and able to express his view in a straightforward manner. His own life was characterised by simplicity.
There is so much more that could be said but one last picture should not be missed.
Whenever I visited my friend in his apartment at Vaucluse, I noticed something significant. On the table near his chair were to be seen a Bible, a Prayer Book and a Lectionary. Reading the Scriptures,saying the Daily Office and regular prayer were the foundations on which he had built his life, his ministry and his service.
The death of a loved one, of a revered colleague, of a dear friend, of a respected leader brings a sense of loss and of sadness. But that sadness is not to be compared with the warmth of welcome awaiting him on the other side.
From God he came. To God he has returned.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8