THE peter Millar Blog:  OBITUARY FOR MURDOCH MACKENZIE

Written by Peter Millar: Minister of St Andrews Kirk in Madras from 1978 to 1983 (following Murdoch)

Published: 26 February in Peter Millar's Blog

Murdoch MacKenzie: Compassionate man of the Church who took on challenging roles, both globally and ecumenically. 

Born: 23 February 1938 in Glasgow. Died: 3 February 2015 in Edinburgh aged 76.

Murdoch MacKenzie who died in Edinburgh on February 3rd was one of these close friends in my thoughts on Ash Wednesday. In 1978 I had the privilege of following Murdoch as minister of St Andrew’s Church in the heart of the great city of Madras (now Chennai) in South India. He was a truly global person, a person of prayer at home in many cultures and who passionately believed not only in Christian unity but also that the oppressed and marginalised of this world have so much to teach us about what it means to be a loving human being. In Britain, Murdoch was recognised as a wise, ecumenical leader and until the very end of his life people across the world sought his advice and valued the compassion which companioned it. In his death the British churches have lost a visionary leader but also a humble, loving man who sought to follow Christ each day.  ( If you would like to know more about Murdoch’s life please Google: The Scotsman: Murdoch Mackenzie, Obituary.)

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