The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, Bishop of El Camino Real, conveys the news that the diocese’s founding bishop has died:
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Shannon Mallory, first bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real. As we know, Shannon has been ill with leukemia. He died this morning [April 4] with friends and family having accompanied him in love and prayer along his journey toward death. May he now rest in peace and rise in glory.
Let us hold our stories and memories shared with Shannon, giving thanks for his gifts of leadership and adventurous spirit that helped our diocese to have its founding. We pray now for all those who mourn, particularly his family and dearest friends.
His daughter Teresa asked that the following message about her father be shared today:
Shannon Mallory died on April 4, 2018, in Monterey, Cal. Born September 9, 1936, he was a graduate of General Theological Seminary.
Bishop Mallory was a lover of social justice and delighted in the diversity of the world’s people, cultures, and religions. Some of his happiest days were the 18 years spent in Africa. Pastoral ministry was where he shined. He loved home visits, sitting and listening to stories of people and their journeys with God.
… “It was all a blessing,” he wrote in his book Blacklisted, “and God has a delightful sense of humor.”
Matthew Townsend is the former news editor of The Living Church and former editor of the Anglican Journal. He lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.