Cricketing bishop dies of cancer

Lord Sheppard was Bishop of Liverpool for 22 years

The former Bishop of Liverpool and ex-England cricket captain Lord Sheppard has died of cancer aged 75.

He died at home, surrounded by friends and family, on Saturday following a long battle with cancer.

The Labour peer, formerly known as David Sheppard, campaigned against injustice and inner city poverty.

He was Bishop of Liverpool between 1975 and 1997. A book of remembrance will be opened at the city's cathedral on Sunday.

Toured Australia

He played for Sussex County Cricket Club throughout his cricket career. Lord Sheppard made his debut as an 18-year-old and went on to score 45 first-class centuries.

We want to thank those whose prayers and support have sustained us all during this long journey Grace Sheppard Obituary: Lord Sheppard

Grace Sheppard, his wife for more than 47 years, and his daughter Jenny, said in a statement: "We want to thank those whose prayers and support have sustained us all during this long journey."

James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool since 1998, said: "David Sheppard will go down in history as one of the few diocesan bishops of the 20th Century who exercised influence in the life of the nation as well as the church.

"Rooted in the realities of urban life, he spoke and acted prophetically. He distilled the experience and insights of the Diocese of Liverpool, and showed how the Gospel of Jesus Christ connected with the poor.

Lord Sheppard during his cricketing days

"David and Grace served God in this Diocese for nearly a quarter of a century, and did so with faith, wisdom, compassion and courage."

And the Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, described Lord Sheppard as "a very great Bishop".

Referring to his effort to build bridges between the Anglican and Catholic churches, Archbishop Kelly said: "He will be remembered with great gratitude for his leadership in the Diocese of Liverpool and in the City as a whole.

"His partnership with Archbishop Derek Worlock took great courage and was affirmed by the visit of Pope John Paul II to Liverpool's two cathedrals in 1982."

Disadvantage

A private family funeral service will be held at St Bridgets in West Kirby, followed by a cremation. The ashes will be interred at the Cathedral at a later date.

There will be a public thanksgiving service at the Cathedral at a date to be announced.

Lord Sheppard, who was educated at Sherborne School in Dorset and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, was ordained in 1955, and for a period was a curate of St. Mary of Islington in London.

As a minister he became interested in issues of poverty, injustice and urban disadvantage, which he wrote about in his books and reports for the Church of England.

Lord Sheppard, who received a life peerage in January 1998, became Bishop of Woolwich in 1969, and moved to Liverpool six years later.