On the eve of the Requiem Mass for Archbishop Louis Falk, the Traditional Anglican Church pauses to remember our first Primate. Archbishop Falk was a gifted leader, a visionary, unifier, and steadfast upholder of the Christian Faith and Anglican tradition. With tireless leadership he not only sought to rebuild the historic Anglican expression of the Christian faith but to strengthen and unite it.
From the Congress of Concerned Churchmen in 1977, to the adoption of the Affirmation of St. Louis, to the establishment of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop Falk remained constant in his faith, episcopal ministry, and vision. The early years were ones of challenge which demanded of him perseverance as well as determination.
While he held to a broader vision of the Church he also sought to provide personal leadership and guidance to the fledgling Continuing Anglican Churches. His leadership was strong and determined yet not without setbacks and controversy. No real leadership is, yet he always looked forward not backward. It was a vision for the future, a future consisting of a united Anglican witness in a united Anglican presence. Never about himself, always about Christ and His Church, Archbishop Falk met the challenges, withstood the critics, and kept the faith. We owe him an unquestioned debt of gratitude for his years of dedicated ministry, unwavering leadership, and faithful Christian witness.
On a personal note, I first met Archbishop Falk at a College of Bishops meeting in Victoria, British Columbia in May 1995. I was a layman working as Director of Legislation in the British Columbia Government. A month later on June 27th, he preached at my ordination to the diaconate. From there at his request, and now as a priest, I attended subsequent meetings of the TAC College of Bishops, acting as advisor and sometime chaplain. I got to know the man whom I came to respect and admire. A man of great intellect, deep faith, humility, and compassion. I will always value those times when we talked, when he shared something of himself and his ministry with me. Upon my own election as Primate, Archbishop Falk reached out to me with a message of congratulations, support, and prayer; which I will always value. With all in the TAC, I mourn his passing and honour his legacy.
Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord.
Archbishop Shane B Janzen
Primate of the Traditional Anglican Church