NSW: First Australian-born Archbishop of Sydney dies at 97

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2009
NSW: First Australian-born Archbishop of Sydney dies at 97

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Sir Marcus Lawrence Loane, the first Australian-born Anglican
Archbishop of Sydney, has been remembered for his leadership and work with the poor.

Archbishop of Sydney from 1966 to 1982, Sir Marcus died in Sydney after a short illness
on Monday. He was 97.

In a tribute following his death, current Sydney Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen described
him as "a formative leader in our church".

"Sir Marcus was a remarkable leader who served both church and nation," Dr Jensen said.

"In national life, he offered leadership which transcended politics," he said.

"In particular he spoke up for the poor and helped spark the Henderson enquiry of the
early 1970s.

"He offered distinguished service with our troops in New Guinea during World War II."

Sir Marcus celebrated the 50th anniversary of his consecration as bishop last year.

He was Primate of Australia from 1978 to 1982 and was knighted in 1976.

Born in Tasmania in 1911, Sir Marcus studied at the University of Sydney and Moore
Theological College before being ordained in 1935.

He served in the armed forces in Papua New Guinea as chaplain to the Australian Imperial
Forces from 1942 to 1944.

Described on the Christian Today Australia website as "a formal and reserved man of
simple tastes and possessing a fine sense of humour", Sir Marcus wrote 27 books ranging
from theology and biblical studies to evangelical biography.

Deaconess Margaret Rodgers, President of the NSW Council of Churches, remembered him
as a great Christian scholar.

"He was a wonderful Bible teacher who expounded the scriptures and made them clear
to us," she said.

Sir Marcus celebrated 71 years of marriage to Lady Patricia in December last year.

"The greatest prize I ever won was the heart of the noblest girl I ever knew," he said
in January last year.

Last year, the famous American evangelist Billy Graham praised Sir Marcus and Lady
Patricia as "two great servants of God".

Sir Marcus is survived by his wife and four children - Mary, Robert, David and Winsome
- 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Sydney, but details are yet to be announced.

AAP bc/evt/jl

KEYWORD: LOANE OBIT

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