Shy But Not Retiring: The Memoirs of the Right Reverend Eric Waldram Kemp - Hardcover

'Undeniably, it has immense charm.'--Edward Benson "New Directions " "This retrospect by the bishop over a long life and ministry is full of interest on every page, and of entertaining anecdote... In addition to the autobiograophical narrative, readers will find shrewd observations about Anglican identity, occasional criticism of the General Synod and also frank acknowledgement of his own part in decisions that he subsequently thought to be unwise... There is no trace of self-advertisement; rather, we read the record of a perceptive, charitable, unassuming servant of God and the Church, a record all the more impressive and eloquent for its being understated. " Reviewed by Alec Graham in Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 2007 'Undeniably, it has immense charm.'--, "New Directions " 'a wealth of anecdotes' Review on Eric Kemp, Church of England Newsletter, 28 July 2006--Sanford Lakoff "Church Of England Newspaper " 'Undeniably, it has immense charm.'--Sanford Lakoff "New Directions " 'The tone conveys the man: always unpretentious and equable. Harsh judgements are shunned...These memiors offer a sidelight on the history of the 20th century from a perspective that is often edited out of contemporary historiography.' Church Times, Ret Revd Richard Chartres, 15/09/2006--Sanford Lakoff "Church Times " "The charm of these memoirs stimulates the reader to look at other accounts for a cross-check to Kemp's memory and perspective...we are grateful for the glimpses he does give us of Anglican church life for the past ninety years." James Dunkly, Anglican Theological Review --Sanford Lakoff

Eric Kemp successively Oxford don, cathedral Dean, and diocesan Bishop, was born in 1915 and served the Church of England in full-time ministry until 2001. His influence on the life and work of the Church of his baptism since the end of the Second World War has been immense. Historian, canon lawyer, architect of synodical government, pastor and administrator, he has been a leading light in the Catholic movement in the Church of England and a doughty fighter for all the causes at the heart of that historic witness to this essential component of Anglican identity. One of the greatest minds in the Church of his generation, he was, as Bishop of Chichester for 28 years, also one of its wisest and entlest pastors. As a member of Convocation and the Church Assembly since 1949 and then of General Synod, there are few key people in the life of the Church in the twentieth century that Bishop Kemp has not known personally. In the pages of this book are charming and perceptive reminiscences of a huge variety of people including Geoffrey Fisher, Michael Ramsey, Robert Runcie and his celebrated predecessor in Chichester, George Bell. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the recent history of the Church of England and for those who have a care and concern for its future.