Tributes are being paid to Queen Elizabeth II from all corners of the world and all faith traditions. A common reflection is her deep commitment to the Christian faith. She was not just bearer of the titles Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, she lived her faith as an act of service to others. In Catherine Pepinster’s report here, she suggests Elizabeth II became, in many ways, a missionary queen.
Headlines
Archbishop Justin Welby: Her trust in God and profound love for God was foundational in how she led her life – hour by hour, day by day.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell: In her, we have witnessed God’s faithfulness at work.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols: I am sure to many, Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history.
Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis: In an ever changing world she was the rock of stability and a champion of timeless values.
Imam Qari Asim: British Muslim Scholars admired how the Queen encouraged religious harmony and friendship across the many different faiths.
Lord Singh of Wimbledon CSE, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UK: “Her life was one of selfless service to her subjects, an unparalleled service conducted with both dignity and humility throughout her seventy-year reign”.
Tributes from faith leaders
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke of his profound sadness at the death of the Queen. He said: “In losing our beloved Queen, we have lost the person whose steadfast loyalty, service and humility has helped us make sense of who we are through decades of extraordinary change in our world, nation and society… Through times of war and hardship, through seasons of upheaval and change, and through moments of joy and celebration, we have been sustained by Her Late Majesty’s faith in what and who we are called to be.…As a faithful Christian disciple, and also supreme governor of the Church of England, she lived out her faith every day of her life. Her trust in God and profound love for God was foundational in how she led her life – hour by hour, day by day”. Full statement here
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell: “Throughout her long reign, and in all the confusions and challenges of a changing world, Her Majesty has been a constant, faithful presence. The Queen’s gift to engage with everyone whom she met and the ability to make them feel at ease was a remarkable skill and one which showed a deep connection to the people she served and a desire to live out Jesus’ teaching… Her service to our nation and Commonwealth has been exemplified by her devotion to her duty, which has always been offered with joy. Underpinning this has been her deep faith in God and in her we have witnessed God’s faithfulness at work..Her desire to bring people together and use her role to build up communities and wider society has been a cornerstone of her reign”. Website full statement here
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales: “On 21 April 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Elizabeth said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’ Now, seventy-five years later, we are heartbroken in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration. Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II. At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity. In her Millennium Christmas message, she said, ‘To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.’ This faith, so often and so eloquently proclaimed in her public messages, has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many…Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history. May she now rest in peace”. Full statement here
Cardinal Arthur Roche, born in Yorkshire and now a Cardinal at the Vatican said : “Her Christian faith, expressed so often in her annual Christmas messages and elsewhere, were moments of outstanding witness to her faith, the Gospel and the values of the common good, family life, peace and concord among peoples. Her graciousness and common touch, her statesmanship and love for her people in the many countries, cultures and religions of the Commonwealth have witnessed an unbroken and unique bond of dedication to the service of others. She has been greatly loved by all.”
Jesuits: The Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Britain, Father Damian Howard said, “No-one could fail to be impressed by Her Majesty’s faithful and selfless dedication to public service. Her Christian faith, about which she spoke so eloquently in the latter years of her reign, was central to her understanding of her role as Head of State”.
Methodists: The Rev Graham Thompson and Anthony Boateng, President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, said: “For people of all ages the Queen has provided constancy, a calm and wise influence at all levels of society. Our nation, the Commonwealth and the world have been greatly blessed by her life and work. We give thanks to God that her duty as monarch was grounded in a deep faith in Jesus Christ, which has been an inspiration to countless people throughout her reign. Her dedication, commitment and service to her people will never be forgotten and will sustain all those who mourn in the coming weeks.” Full statement here
United Reformed Church: The Rev Dr John Bradbury, URC General Secretary, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived the most remarkable life of dedicated Christian service. As a devout Anglican and Presbyterian her faith shone from her words and deeds. Her contribution to the life of our nations, the commonwealth, and beyond will be remembered with gratitude for generations to come. She inspired respect from across the political spectrum and from monarchists and republicans alike. The United Reformed Church has always been aware that as each General Assembly presents a loyal address to the throne, we have been addressing a fellow baptised sister in Christ. We give thanks for her life and uphold in prayer all who mourn for her. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis: (video message on Twitter): “The Queen embodied the most noble values of British society. Throughout her extraordinary reign she conducted herself with grace, dignity and humility and was a global role model for distinguished leadership and selfless devotion to society. In an ever changing world she was the rock of stability and a champion of timeless values… We recall with much appreciation the warm relationship she had with the Jewish community with a particular commitment to inter-faith relations and holocaust memorial… Her affection for the Jewish people ran deep and her respect for our values was palpable. In life she was rightly admired and loved the world over. In death may her memory and legacy be for an everlasting blessing”. Full statement here
Liberal Judaism: Liberal Judaism joins people all across our country, and the world, mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was a shining example to us all. She was a great friend to the Jewish community, tireless in her charity work and a strong female leader in a world where that wasn’t common. At Liberal Judaism we will continue to follow her example. We send our deepest condolences to The Queen’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all the Royal Family. May her memory be a blessing.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, Maidenhead Synagogue, told the RMC: Elizabeth II will be mourned by British Jews both for a life of integrity that was a symbol of how best to behave, and for her many signals as to the tolerant pluralist society she wished to encourage. In her very first year on the throne, she set that tone by agreeing to become Patron of the then relatively new inter-faith body, the Council of Christians and Jews. Her official title may be “Defender of the Faith”, referring exclusively to the Church of England, but in reality her reign has seen all faiths flourish.
Imam Qari Muhammad Asim, Makkah Mosque, Leeds Chair, Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board, told the RMC: “In increasingly uncertain times, the reassuring presence of the Queen has been a source of continuity, strength and stability for our country and beyond. British Muslims value HM the Queen’s respect for other people’s beliefs and concern for welfare of others throughout her long reign. British Muslim Scholars admired how the Queen encouraged religious harmony and friendship across the many different faiths, in particular Islam and Christianity. I have had the honour of meeting the Queen a few times. Her dedication, wisdom and exceptional commitment to public service inspires much admiration for her. Whilst Christianity has been the guiding light in her life, I have long admired how The Queen always showed deep respect for other people’s beliefs and an interest in highlighting the commonality between the faiths. During times of enormous social change, grace, integrity and a profound sense of duty have been the hallmarks of the Queen. Long this may continue.”
Zara Mohammed, General Secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “We at the Muslim Council of Britain remember how the Queen devoted her life to public service and sought unity among British communities. Her Majesty was the first monarch to engage with newly established Muslim communities here in the UK. Though the first British mosque was seen in the Victorian era, the Queen was the first monarch to visit a UK mosque during her Jubilee celebrations in 2002. All of us, of all faiths and none, will remember Her Majesty’s legacy of public service and celebrate her achievements”.
Mahant Swami Maharaj, a prominent Hindu Guru, leader of BAPS, the global organisation which includes Neasden Temple, wrote a letter to King Charles III: “I write to you deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your mother Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the worldwide BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu fellowship, our heartfelt prayers, condolences and sympathies are with you and the entire royal family at this most difficult time. Her Majesty was respected and admired, not only in the United Kingdom, but across the world. She was an inspirational monarch who personified the values of service and public duty, guiding the United Kingdom and Commonwealth with dignity, courage and selfless dedication for 70 years. I also offer my best wishes to you as monarch and above all as a friend of the British Hindu community… We remain immensely grateful for your gracious friendship and hope this bond of mutual respect and goodwill will flourish ever stronger under your noble reign. I and all BAPS Hindus in the UK and globally pray that you and the Queen Consort are able to serve the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for many years to come with honour and fortitude, through peace and harmony, in continuation of the great enduring legacy of your beloved mother Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
Hindu Council UK: “We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of our beloved Queen. We mourn the loss of a person of great stature. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal family and offer our sincere prayers on this sad occasion”.
Krish Raval, Director of Faith in Leadership: “For me, as a Hindu, the Sovereign’s sacramental bond of duty over seventy years deeply resonates with scriptural teachings on service and sacrifice. It pulled together people of every race, religion, generation and background into an unparalleled and healthy plurality. Britain’s communities are also secure in knowing that our new King, in words and deeds, has shown his dedication and commitment to all people and to being a protector of religious practice and freedom”.
Lord Singh of Wimbledon CSE, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UK: “Her life was one of selfless service to her subjects, an unparalleled service conducted with both dignity and humility throughout her seventy-year reign… I recall the privilege of accompanying Her Majesty during her first visit to a gurdwara in Leicester in 2002. It was during her Golden Jubilee celebrations, that she made clear that she was the sovereign for all her people, and that our different religions show that God’s love extends in equal measure to the whole of humanity; a resonant echo of Sikh teachings that shows the important commonalities between our different faiths. Her Majesty’s commitment to the service of others, contribution to society and humility in all she did, are qualities that Sikhs aspire to embody in their lives. Sikhs will always remember her with love and affection”.
The Sikh Federation said: “We are all saddened at the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch who ruled for 70 years, overseeing so much change and struggle in the world. Our thoughts go out to all the family and country during this time of grief”.
