Bishop Barbara Darling

Before she was ordained, she had worked as a lecturer and librarian for 12 years at Ridley College.

In 2008, Barbara became Australia’s second female Bishop. She retired after five years as Bishop of the Eastern Region in October last year.

Bishop Darling suffered a stroke two weeks ago and died on Sunday morning in hospital surrounded by her friends and family.

A long-term friend of Barbara’s is Lesley McGrath-Woodley. She told Eternity Barbara was a pioneering woman in many fields and a cherished friend.

“Our friendship began on the banks of the Shoalhaven River when neither of us wanted to extinguish a camp fire at a Scripture Union Pioneer Camp. We were 19-years-old. We both agreed to study together as our first step towards theological qualifications, New Testament 1, by correspondence,” says Lesley.

“We enjoyed many hours by or on the water whether rowing, eating, walking or just sitting. Symphony concerts or movies were another shared delight. We followed different paths but our friendship remained a constant encouragement.

“From her time as a Queen’s Guide, a college lecturer, and finally as a Bishop, Barbara has been a pioneer through and through as she lived out her love of Jesus. I miss her greatly.”

Former Bishop of the Eastern Region and Minister of St Hilary’s Kew, Stephen Hale has described her as “an encourager” who “always sought to highlight the positive in a situation.” He says she would readily offer “a gentle word of blessing or a suggestion of advice”.

Another colleague, the former Principal of Ridley College, Peter Adam, described her as “a person of dignity and integrity”, and says she demonstrated “the fruit of the Spirit in her life and ministry”. You can read more of their reflections on the Ridley website.

Speaking on Sunday, Andreas Loewe, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral where Bishop Darling was Canon said he had recently visited her, and been reminded of the eternal glory which awaits those who have faith.

“The peace that I experienced on the fifth floor of the Clayton Medical Centre came from Barbara. I sensed in that peace something of the transformative power of God shining through her weakened body.

“As her conscious life had ebbed away, and she was breathing regularly, restfully, in preparation for an even greater rest, I could sense how it might be that God transforms people ‘from one degree of glory to another’ (2 Corinthians 3.18).

“I could sense how God’s glory might be able to transform even our unconscious selves, might be able to transform even those who have been affected so severely by illness that they will never be brought back to full health by the skills of our medical professionals. There, at Barbara’s bedside on a golden summer’s afternoon, I sensed how some of God’s glory can shine forth through the profound peace she radiated.”

Bishop Darling died during the Cathedral’s 10.30am service where the Dean preached. It was only after the service that the congregation received news of her death.

Bishop Darling’s  funeral will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne this Sunday afternoon (Feb 22nd) at 5pm.