The Rt Revd Geoff Pearson writes:

CANON Michael Wolfe was a priest, pastor, and ecumenist who enabled the “Mersey Miracle” of friendship and co-operation between the RC Archbishop Derek Worlock, Bishop David Sheppard, and the Moderator of the Free Churches Group. As a full-time, ecumenically financed, Ecumenical Officer from 1982 to 1989, Michael helped to translate vision into practice.

After Oxford and National Service, Michael was the last curate of Mervyn Stockwood at St Matthew’s, Moorfields, in Bristol. The bulk of his ministry of more than 60 years was spent in the Liverpool diocese. After serving as Vicar of St Paul’s, Southport, Michael did a long stint at St Thomas’s, Upholland, where he built four church aided schools and the Ecumenical Centre Church for the new town. Besides joining the General Synod, he was a Councillor and Chair of the West Lancashire District Council.

Michael breathed “unity in Christ”, and, in his post as ecumenical officer, helped to set up the Merseyside and Regional Churches Ecumenical Assembly. In many matters, he felt privileged to both put forward proposals to church leaders and to carry out their wishes. He exercised a very effective backroom post. For 25 years, he was co-ordinator of the Merseyside Inter-Faith Group, which he co-founded. He was also a keen member of the Merseyside Council of Christians and Jews.

In 2010, Liverpool Hope University awarded Michael an honorary senior fellowship for his ecumenical and interfaith work. In retirement, he served as chaplain and pastor of Liverpool Cathedral, where he touched an extraordinary number of people with his hospitality, encouragement, and love.

Michael was wonderfully supported by his wife, Brenda, a classics teacher. They were married for 65 years and had four children, 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. His hobbies included sport and travel, as well as listening to music and playing the piano. He is the only person I know to have obtained a speeding fine on his way home from a speeding-awareness course. Aged 82, he abseiled down the side of Liverpool Cathedral. He faithfully rang so many people on birthdays and special occasions that it was obvious he must have been very unwell when those calls stopped. Yes, priest, pastor, ecumenist and so much more.

Canon Michael Wolfe died on 4 January, aged 93.