Anglican bishop Arthur Malcolm dies aged 87 peacefully at home

Australia’s first Aboriginal bishop had an important role supporting the Far North’s indigenous communities. READ ABOUT HIS PIONEERING IMPACT

AUSTRALIA’S first Aboriginal bishop has died peacefully at home, with his wife by his side.

Far Northern Indigenous communities from Yarrabah to the Cape region, as well as the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland, are in mourning following the death of bishop Arthur Malcolm.

Bishop Malcolm, who was 87, died on July 28.

He was born in Yarrabah and began training as a Church Army officer in Stockton, New South Wales, where he completed a certificate course in evangelism in 1959.

He returned to Yarrabah in 1974 as chaplain and was ordained by the bishop of North Queensland in 1978.

As well as ministering to his people at Yarrabah he had responsibility for Anglican people at Palm Island.

Archbishop of Adelaide, Most Reverend Ian George washes the feet of indigenous bishop, Arthur Malcolm in 1998. Bishop Malcolm died aged 87 on July 28.

Noting his achievements, the Anglican Church of Australia stated during this time he developed an outstanding leadership among Aboriginal people and encouraged them in their education, community life and in the struggles they encountered.

Archdeacon of North Queensland Chris Wright knew Mr Malcolm for more than 35 years, describing him as “a man of love”.

“Many of us who worked with Bishop Arthur knew his great sense of commitment to the Diocese in communities as small as Croydon and Normanton to the large cities of Cairns and Townsville,” Mr Wright said.

“His loss will be felt greatly in Injinoo, Lockhart River, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw and many other places on Cape York where he was respected as a traditional owner and elder.”

Archdeacon Wright said Bishop Malcolm was a leader in bringing the Anglican Church to make a formal, public apology to Aboriginal people in 1988.

L-R Bishop Arthur Malcolm, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia Keith Rayner, Archbishop of Adelaide, Most Reverend Ian George and Bishop Ted Mosby at Anglican aboriginal reconciliation at Christ Church, North Adelaide, 20/02/98.

Archdeacon Wright said part of the apology was directed to Bishop Malcolm, who responded gracefully by speaking of forgiveness.

“For a long time, we have been hurting, our spirits have felt crushed by the wrong actions. “Much suffering has been the result, but it is through the message of Jesus Christ that we have learned to forgive … On behalf of my people I accept your seeking of our forgiveness and thank you for your apology,” Bishop Malcolm said in response to the apology.

Archdeacon Wright said the Diocese of North Queensland had lost a “wonderful and loving pastor.”

“He as the bishop was held in the highest esteem not just in Australia but well beyond,” he said.

“The Anglican Bishop of North Queensland currently at the Lambeth conference of bishops in England, which is a meeting of all the Anglican bishops from around the world; has said that ‘many here have spoken warmly of bishop Arthur, and we will mourn deeply here’.”

Originally published as Anglican bishop Arthur Malcolm dies aged 87 peacefully at home