My friend Stephen Pedley, who has died aged 85, was bishop of Lancaster from 1998 until 2005. A true son of the church, he was the quintessential Catholic – English not Roman – immersed in the worship, history and culture of the Church of England with a joyous appreciation of its richness.
His single most memorable characteristic was his laughter, which sprang from his love of life and his delight in people of all shapes and sizes. His empathy with those around him made him an outstanding pastor, guide and friend, while his ready sense of the ridiculous made him great fun, too. At times he could collapse in helpless, almost painful, laughter; uproarious and uncontrollable, heels hammering the floorboards.
