The Right Rev Donald Arden obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/08/the-right-rev-donald-arden-obituary

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My husband, Donald Arden, who has died aged 98, never gave up working for justice and peace. He was ordained in London in 1939 and spent 38 years in Africa as priest, bishop and archbishop.

He was born in Bournemouth, one of three sons of Stanley, a former rubber planter, and Winifred. Donald grew up in Australia, where the family moved to seek farming opportunities, but returned to Britain to study at Leeds University and Mirfield Theological College, West Yorkshire.

In 1943 he sailed for South Africa, with the intention of travelling onwards to China. This proved impossible and he settled instead in Pretoria, where he founded the city's first Scout troop for mixed-race boys and organised a schools feeding programme that reached 5,000 children. In Swaziland he spearheaded the recognition of Siswati as the country's official language, built a secondary school and was the first chairman of the Swaziland Pineapple Growers' Association.

He was consecrated bishop of Nyasaland (later Malawi) in 1961. I was a teacher there and met Donald in January 1962 at a mission station. We married that September in Mulanje, near the border with Mozambique. During 20 years in Malawi, Donald fostered indigenous leadership at every level and was active in bringing together Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians and Churches of Christ to establish a lay training centre. He was instrumental in forming the Christian Health Association of Malawi, through which the different Christian churches, which provided nearly half the country's medical care, agreed to work together.

Polio was a real concern for Donald. He arranged a survey over a large area, thinking there might be 50 cases, but found 500 and convinced a government surgeon of the need for action. Together they formed Malawi Against Polio, which resulted in Malawi becoming the first developing country to be declared polio-free.

He was archbishop of the Anglican Province of Central Africa from 1971 to 1980 – Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe – when Southern Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence resulted in much bloodshed and made travelling difficult. Donald visited the four countries regularly, sometimes under dangerous circumstances. He presided over provincial meetings that, uniquely, were attended by people from all four countries.

After returning to Britain in 1981, at an age when many people sit back and retire, Donald began 30 years of non-stop activity. St Margaret's in Uxbridge, in the London borough of Hillingdon, where he served for five years, was imaginatively re-ordered to welcome people every day of the week. He served the people of St Alban's church, North Harrow, for 25 years, opening their eyes and hearts to the horrors of landmines.

He was a trustee of the Mines Advisory Group, which helps to clear mines in war zones. People described him as remarkable and inspiring, and recalled his warmth and great sense of humour.

Close to Donald's heart was the ordination of women as priests. In 1994 he was one of two bishops who ordained 90 women over two days at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

People in Malawi have asked that some of Donald's ashes be placed in a memorial to be built there.

Donald is survived by me, our two sons, Bazil and Chris, and four granddaughters.