AFTER nearly 50 years as an ordinand and priest, Douglas Dales reflects on “eight outstanding Christian friends who were so kind to me as a young ordinand and priest”. It is an eclectic selection.

First up is Cicely Saunders, pioneer of the hospice movement, who taught him empathy, invaluable for his 28-year chaplaincy at Marlborough College.

Next is Henry Chadwick, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, when Dales was a student there, and from whom he learnt the importance of church history and his love of Sts Augustine, Anselm, and Bonaventure.

The advice of Alfonso de Zulueta, Rector of St Thomas More, Cheyne Row, on preaching proved of lasting value: “Stand up, Speak up, Shut up,” as did his introduction to the theology and practice of the Catholic Church.

Dales was part of that lucky generation of ordinands studying at Cuddesdon when Archbishop Michael Ramsey lived there in retirement. The Archbishop’s consciousness of the living past — the communion of saints — greatly influenced him. Ramsey generously married Douglas and Geraldine.

To all who knew her, Sister Benedicta Ward was a one-off. Although a member of the contemplative community at Fairacres, Oxford, she played an active part in the life of the University and hugely helped Dales with his research into Anglo-Saxon history.

Donald Allchin introduced Dales to the richness of Orthodox theology, and this interest was cemented by Dales’s many visits to Mount Athos, as well as knowledge of Welsh spirituality.

Like me, Dales was led to ordained ministry by reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It was Peter Walker who encouraged Dales to dig deeper into understanding Bonhoeffer and the issues that he faced. Above all, Dales learnt from Bonhoeffer “that a Christian priest has to be fearless”.

Dales met Mother Mary Clare after her retirement. She was instrumental in forming his attachment to Fairacres, where he discovered that “contemplative intercession is at the heart of being a priest.” The book ends with a list of reflections made during Dales’s retreats at Fairacres and on Mount Athos.

What these eight Christians have achieved for Dales is the enormous breadth of his Christian knowledge and experience. Few priests can have been so fortunate in their friendships.

Canon Anthony Phillips is a former headmaster of The King’s School, Canterbury.

Communion and Contemplation: Reflections on friendship, ministry and prayer
Douglas Dales
Sacristy Press £12.99
(978-1-78959-417-1)
Church Times Bookshop £11.69