The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona, pays tribute to Sen. John McCain in a message to the diocese:
I ask all Arizona Episcopalians to join with me in offering prayers and thanksgiving for the life of Senator John McCain and for his family in this time of sorrow. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting with Senator McCain on several occasions, and I always found him to be concerned and responsive, especially regarding the issue of immigration.
Arizona has lost a great leader, patriot, war hero, and public servant.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant John. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
