Commontide
Anglican Commemoration
Archbishop of Canterbury, Ecumenist, & Teacher of the Faith
April 24 · d. 1988
also known as Michael Ramsey, M.A. Ramsey
Archbishop of Canterbury (1961-1974) and major twentieth-century Anglican theologian. Author of influential theological works including The Gospel and the Catholic Church and The Glory of God and the Transfiguration of Christ. Led the Anglican Communion through the turbulent 1960s and pioneered ecumenical dialogue, notably his historic 1966 meeting with Pope Paul VI. A teacher whose intellectual episcopal leadership shaped modern Anglican identity.
Intellectual Anglican leadership; ecumenical pioneer and bridge-builder between Catholic and Reformed traditions; theologian of incarnation and transfiguration; exemplar of pastoral theology united with rigorous scholarly work.
Arthur Michael Ramsey was born November 14, 1904, in Cambridge, England. He studied theology at Cambridge University and was ordained to the priesthood in 1928. Ramsey served as Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge (1930-1940) and subsequently as Rector of Durhamtown and Canon of Durham before becoming Bishop of Durham (1952-1956). He was elevated to Archbishop of York (1956-1961) before his election as Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest office in the Anglican Communion (1961-1974). During his primacy, Ramsey navigated the Second Vatican Council's effects on Anglicanism, initiated significant ecumenical conversations, and wrestled with contemporary theological challenges. His meeting with Pope Paul VI in 1966 was historic, representing the first formal contact between a Pope and an Archbishop of Canterbury in four centuries. Ramsey was a prolific theological writer whose works examined the incarnation, the transfiguration, and the spiritual foundations of Anglican theology. He retired in 1974 and died April 23, 1988. His theological legacy continues to shape Anglican thought.
Almighty God, we give you thanks for the ministry of Arthur Michael Ramsey, who labored that the Church of Jesus Christ might be one: Grant that we, instructed by his teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for an Ecumenist
Ezekiel 34:11–16Psalm 133Ephesians 3:14–21John 17:10–26