June 12 set for diocesan service to celebrate life of The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris

Barbara C. Harris Portrait by Simmie Knox Portrait in oil, 2002, by Simmie Knox / Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris
June 12, 1930-March 13, 2020

Planning is now underway for a diocesan liturgy in celebration of the life of Bishop Barbara C. Harris, to be held on Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston.

"Barbara Harris was born on June 12, 1930, which guided our selection of a date for this memorial. It was the date God gave the gift of Barbara to the world, and Barbara always did love a good birthday celebration!" Bishop Alan M. Gates said.

This celebration, long delayed because of the pandemic, will include a memorial service of Holy Eucharist and will be open to the diocesan community for in-person attendance. The service will be livestreamed for the wider church community via the cathedral church's website at www.stpaulboston.org.

"Here in the Diocese of Massachusetts, the June 12 service will be an occasion for this diocesan family to give thanks for Barbara, who was raised up in this place and who was our own faithful pastor and steady companion for more than three decades," Gates said. "We know that Barbara's admirers around The Episcopal Church and around the globe are also eager to honor her and celebrate her life. Though in-person seating at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is very limited, we warmly invite others to join us via the livestream broadcast."

Service details will be announced as plans progress. Please save the date and watch for more in the weeks ahead.