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Funeral Address given by The Rev'd. Donald McMonigle Sometime of Wangaratta.

Bishop Robert Beal

“Any man that but man is, With nothing shall be pleas’d, til he be eas’d With being nothing.” Shakespeare Richard II

As a king divests himself of his kingly regalia, his crown, his sceptre and the balm used to anoint him at his coronation, and then stripped bare, prepares to confront his end, Shakespeare verbalises Richard’s inner thoughts and grief’s with these words which within a wider context, remain a fundamental teaching of all the great spiritual traditions.

A man with nothing shall be pleas’d, til he be eas’d With being nothing.”

It is a hard saying - particularly as we grieve the loss of our friend, but if we take our Lord’s words seriously this is what the Christian journey is all about. It is that great movement from I to Thou, the acknowledgement of the need for one another and ultimately, our need for God. It is what dying to self is all about. It is not just about self-denial and acts of mortification; rather, it is a positive dynamic movement to becoming whole. Robert’s life as a husband, father, priest and and above all, as a human being, has exemplified this journey. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains alone but if it dies it bears much fruit.”

We have heard something of Robert’s family life from Frances and Christopher but it is in his life as in both priestly and Episcopal ministry that Robert not only proclaimed this mystery but has consistently and faithfully incarnated this great truth. Fr Robert in his priestly life offered sacrifice, the offering of Christ, the offering of people, the offering of family and all of creation, and perhaps above all, a personal self-offering. All present here in this Church, and those who are not with us today but with us in prayer, whether is this world or the heavenly realm, bear witness to the gracious offering of this man. And now, he has completed the last and greatest act, he has fully given himself to become nothing so that he may by God’s grace become everything.

As a young secondary student I vividly recall my first encounter with the then Dean of Wangaratta. Having lived in the countryside and worshipping at one of 2 the out-centres I had never managed to see the Dean in person but a seminar for senior students in 1966 saw him walking through the classroom door. I was immediately struck by his size, larger than life, his enormous hands, a commanding presence, confident, but gracious and despite the size and presence, a gentleness of spirit. He placed his pipe on the table before us, sat down and invited us into a discussion about the big questions of life – Where are we going? What was life all about? Why are we here? His directness, his utter frankness, the care and tenderness with which he shared his personal beliefs, his desire to hear what we had to say gave us confidence to share our thoughts and as with his best sermons, pushing his notes aside, he began to speak from the heart about his understanding of life and how the figure of Christ, his teaching and his example gave him hope and meaning in a world that often appears so hope-less … I had never forgotten that first encounter, and amazingly, at a future meeting some 15 or so years later, he was able to recall that actual day himself.

I seek your understanding as I begin on a personal note but I am sure that many of the qualities of which I speak resonate with your own personal experiences of this man in whatever capacity you came into contact with him, be it as one of the leaders of this city, as a friend, a parishioner, fellow priest or bishop, one who experienced his ministry as confirmee, marriage couple, the bereaved or in one of the myriad ways in which this man walked into the lives of many of us gathered here today as well as those beyond.

Robert George Beal was born in 1929, in Randwick, Sydney and educated at Waverley Marist Brothers and later, Sydney Grammar. His church St Jude’s Randwick and the colourful Rector, The Rev’d. Oscar Abrahams (whom he always recalled so affectionately) played a significant part in his faith journey and the eventual decision to offer himself as a candidate for ordination. To some extent his later exposure to Christ Church St Laurence and St James King Street were also formative.

He entered St Francis College, Brisbane in 1952 as a candidate for the of Brisbane. His formation at St Francis College became the crucible which not only helped shaped his ministry but introduced him to fellow students who would become lifelong friends – Bishop Keith Rayner, former Primate of Australia, Bishop Barry Hunter, former Bishop of The Riverina and Fr David Morrison among others.

He was made deacon in 1953 and appointed assistant curate at Nundah, a suburb of Brisbane and then following his ordination to the priesthood moved to the Diocese of Nth Queensland to his first parish of St John’s South Townsville. And it was here he met a Miss Valerie Illych. Valerie has been the love of his life. Many of us have heard of the beginnings of the romance, the debonair young priest arriving in his first parish, the attractive young Valerie Illych, parish organist and daily communicant and former Miss Queensland. It was a marriage made in heaven, faithful companions throughout life, 53 years of marriage, six children, 3

18 grandchildren and one great grand-child. The coming years as parish priest, Dean on two occasions, and later, Bishop are testimony to a team effort where their gracious hospitality, genuine interest in people and love for the Church touched the lives of so many people.

Following another appointment as Rector of Auchenflower, Queensland, he was appointed Dean of Wangaratta in 1965. He always saw this appointment as a formative experience in his ministry and during which time there grew a lasting love for the Diocese and the natural beauty of north-eastern Victoria. It is fitting that his ashes will return there for internment in that Cathedral later next month.

He left Wangaratta to become Rector of Ipswich in 1972, and three years later was appointed Dean of this Cathedral, a ministry which continued for the next 8 years. No doubt, one of the most significant legacies of his ministry as Dean was overseeing the completion of this cathedral Church as it stands today. A central part of this building program was the erection of the great bulk of this tower rising above us this morning, now such a totally accepted and distinctive aspect of the skyline of this city. So today represents something of a homecoming as we gather in this place which he knew and loved.

He returned to the Diocese of Wangaratta as Rector and of Albury, which by then was in transition from the Diocese of Canberra Goulburn to Wangaratta. His time there cut short by his call to be the seventh Bishop of the Diocese. As his Chancellor of the time, Dr Robin Sharwood mentioned just the other day, “He was a born priest and a true father in God in the Episcopal sense, and it was something that expressed itself so naturally”. He came to the episcopate at the right time, very well equipped to offer those gifts which became the hallmark of his episcopate.

I was later appointed his Dean. Now some Deans and gathered here today may well testify, in contrast to my earlier cliché - relations between Bishops and Deans are not always a marriage made in heaven! But this was not so in our case. There was the daily rhythm we shared together alongside the Cathedral staff– 7.00am Meditation, Mass, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer - these anchored his day. This rhythm continued throughout the rest of his life to the end. As a guest over the years during his retirement, one was always conscious of Robert withdrawing in the morning and each evening to his private room where he would recite the office and as the true priest, bring before God those whom he continued to bear on his heart.

His specific gift that he brought to the episcopate was primarily that of pastor, to both priest and people- this for him was fundamental. He was the consummate pastor as well as an indefatigable pastoral visitor. He rejoiced in being responsible for a relatively small diocese of 29 where his annual diary included a pastoral overnight visit to every rectory in the diocese as well as provision for every priest and spouse to visit Bishop’s Lodge for a private chat, 4

prayer and a meal. I know how much his clergy cherished that care and personal contact.

One of the joys for him as Bishop was each year presiding over the gathering together of diocesan clergy and theological students in retreat and clergy conference. Confident Anglican churchman that he was, he delighted on these occasions to bring in a range of leading church men from across the traditions – to bring this diversity to Wangaratta and Wangaratta to this diversity - I think on two occasions the then Archbishop of Sydney, Donald Robinson on the riches of the Book of Common Prayer and later Bishop Donald Cameron as well as leading Roman Catholic scholars such as Austin Cooper. Their input on these occasions was placed within the context of the beauties and riches of worship in the Catholic Anglican tradition that he so loved and lived.

He hated debate and change, especially where he was required to make a stand. His heart was at war with his head as he faced the dilemma of knowing, particularly as Bishop, that a decision would cause offence or hurt to one party. His final years as Bishop of the Diocese in the early 1990s were marked by the significant controversies facing the national Church and which to some extent precipitated his earlier than expected retirement. In facing the prospect of retirement he looked to this city which had meant so much to him and where the majority of his children now lived. Embraced by his brother Bishop and diocesan, Bishop Roger Herft, who so graciously extended the hand of hospitality, he continued to assist in Episcopal duties and fulfilled a significant pastoral role to the students at Morpeth Theological College. He deeply appreciated the confidence and trust that Bishop Roger placed in him and the responsibilities given to him were an ongoing source of joy and satisfaction.

This act of worship today is not only an occasion for recollection, it also requires of us to comfort those who mourn, particularly Valerie and the family, Francis, Christopher, Gabriel, Paul, Maria and Angela and their spouses and families. We know you had that special time together yesterday as you privately farewelled Robert. His ministry and self-offering so often compromised the time that you had with him over the years as the rectories, Deaneries and Bishops’ Lodge were the venue for constant callers, meetings and interruptions. We thank you for your understanding, your generosity and the gift of your husband and father to us.

I am sure that Valerie won’t mind me mentioning that there have been a couple of other women who have also been the love of Robert’s life. An association which speaks of Robert’s romantic side as well as deep affection for one who had also given much was that with Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. What began in the early ‘60’s as an annual telegram on the occasion of Her Late Majesty’s birthday culminated in 1992 when he contacted Clarence House wishing to know of her public engagements in order to just catch a glimpse when he knew he would be in in the coming summer. To his surprise the equerry’s reply included an invitation to share afternoon tea with Her 5

Late Majesty – as it turned out, just the two of them. And as he would always comment, she even cut the chocolate cake! His head spinning as he left the grounds, not sure if due to the double G&T served by her staff to settle his nerves prior to the meeting or just the sheer magic of the moment, little was he aware that there would be ongoing association over the subsequent years with several teas and luncheons with this remarkable lady.

And there is another! One who also claims close ties to the royal family, Dame Edna Everage. Bishop Robert’s affair with the housewife from Moonee Ponds began at the outset of Barry Humphries career back in the 1960’s when he courageously decided to play Humphries first recording of Dame Edna at a Deanery Christmas party at Wangaratta before a fairly po faced, conservative country town vestry – remember this is the mid 1960s. The effect was that of the proverbial lead balloon, the humour met with total incomprehension expressed through stony silence of those gathered around the spinning LP. Undaunted, Bishop Robert went on to collect numerous recordings and videos of Dame Edna’s continuing revelations as she transformed from housewife to megastar, with family and house guests alike required to view the latest interview with “Parkie” through to her own mega show. It was in this latter series, as you may well remember, that while interviewing the rich and famous if any guest sought to steal the limelight or began to bore, they were promptly catapulted off the set by that famous lever attached to the arm of her chair. Bishop Robert loved the device and thought such an instrument would have come in useful on occasions such as synod where he could put a stop to interminable speeches and long debates or to the cleric who just rambled on to hear his own voice. The family had sweet revenge when just a couple of years ago they purchased two tickets for Bishop Robert and Valerie to Humphries latest show in Sydney. I would never had considered a seat in the front row with Dame Edna as the ideal gift and yes, the inevitable happened with Bishop Robert lured on stage by a bossy Dame Edna who continued to compromise and humiliate her guest in her inimitable way forcing him among others to walk around with one shoe on and one off and complete the gladioli dance little knowing that one of her protagonists was an Anglican Bishop.

I mention this aside because humour was a critical part of Robert’s being. As a friend commented yesterday, he was just great fun. He was a clever mimic, an amusing raconteur and there are many of us here today, myself included, who I am sure have been the butt of his jokes as he has recounted or played out some situation that showed us up in a less than favourable light, or in an amusing or compromising situation.

In February 2009, Bishop Robert developed pneumonia which unknown at the time, was the harbinger of something far more sinister and terminal. His acceptance of his deteriorating condition was not one of resignation but in consultation with haematologist, his family and above all his God, an embracing of the reality of his prognosis and the need to prepare for that final journey which 6

he has now taken. These past months have been one of great comfort to his family and friends, as true to form, Robert not only offered his mortality to His Lord as being that final offering, but as he approached that final moment continued to comfort those close to him who found difficulty in facing the unfolding reality.

We know that these final days have been very precious to Valerie and the family as they could enjoy those rare moments of sharing their husband and father free of the usual commitments of Church life, even during retirement as noted earlier. It had been his wish, even in the wake of the prognosis, to preside at the marriage of his daughter Angela later in August this year. Aware that this could not be, Angela and her partner, Dale, just two weeks ago stood before the hospital bed and Robert presided over their marriage ceremony as they professed their love and commitment to one another before God and some members of the family.

I am humbled by the simplicity and utter faithfulness with which he set about preparing for this last great journey – opting for quality of life in the days remaining rather than further treatment, planning this occasion including the hymns and readings as well as the private funeral for the family, observed yesterday, arranging for the administering of the final sacrament of holy unction, preparing right up to that final moment when all is offered up and a man becomes nothing. God is the enduring and all else passes away.

Now it remains only to be said that Bishop Robert journeys to no unknown country but to a glory whose light has shone on him as glimpsed on so many mornings at the altar, or when kindling the Vesper light, or in those moments of quiet recollection, ever conscious of the companions who throughout his life accompanied him along the road from that other country. He now joins their communion following in the Way of Christ who is the Way.

For some this is a difficult teaching, as it seems such unchartered territory but I ask you to consider this. As an expectant mother cups her hands around her unborn and cherishes all that is about to take place, she whispers to her child rumours of a great and glorious world beyond the walls of her womb of darkness, fluid and containment. “My beloved child,” she says, “there awaits you a world beyond of light, of sound, of colour, of sweetness, of touch and feeling…” To the child, such notions must seem incredulous. The same act of faith is asked of us today.

Rest eternal grant unto your servant Robert, O Lord And let light perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy and love of God, rest in peace. And rise in Glory. Amen.

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