GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL (photo Wikipedia)


 

Fr Bede on the west front of Guildford Cathedral

article written by Adrian Rance

an article taken from The Bede Griffiths Sangha Newsletter June 2004 Volume 7 Issue 2


Photo courtesy: ADRIAN RANCE

 Whit Sunday saw the inauguration of new statues on the west front of Guildford Cathedral, England, including a statue of Father Bede.

The cathedral was designed in 1932, and it always was intended that the large stones over the west doors should be sculpted. The statues, which were sculpted by the York based artist, Charles Gurrey, were the inspiration of the former dean of Guildford, the Very Revd. Alex Wedderspoon, who dedicated them in a special service.

Around Christ of the Transfiguration are four figures representing the Christian past; Julian of Norwich, Bernard of Clairvaux, St Benedict and St. Colomba, and four prominent spiritual teachers from the 20th Century; Evelyn Underhill, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, Reginald Somerset Ward and our own Father Bede.

Father Bede is shown in his khavi of the Hindu sannyasi, offering his greeting in namaste. Sangha members were invited to be there at the dedication and we felt so proud of Father Bede. What on earth would have thought of it?

Also, Sangha member Caroline Mackenzie saw the Kalai Kaviri Indian Sacred Dance group from Trichy, who are doing a tour of south England, perform on the steps outside the cathedal on 11th June. Caroline said, "It was really amazing" and that Father Bede looked down with approval!

 FR. BEDE WITH REGINALD SOMERSET WARD. BETWEEN THEM IS THE PILLAR OF FIRE

Photo courtesy: ADRIAN RANCE



for view of plan of the Cathedral showing exterior points of interest click below

http://www.guildford-cathedral.org/files/Outside%20Tour%20Jan%2008.pdf

 

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