It is with great sadness that we announce the news of the sudden death of Clive Billenness. Clive died on Saturday lunchtime at Heathrow airport as he was returning home to South West France from the General Synod.

Clive served as one of the Diocese in Europe's lay members of the Synod.  He was also a member of the Audit Committee of the Archbishops' Council. He served on the Diocesan Synod and had been Churchwarden and a Reader in the chaplaincy of Midi-Pyrénées.  

Clive was a man of great passion and commitment in the Church. He was a steadfast and thoughtful contributor particularly to all debates regarding Safeguarding and his work was hugely appreciated by victims and survivors of abuse across the Church. He campaigned energetically in Synod, never less so than in the group of sessions in London this past week. His knowledge of the legal and procedural issues was remarkable as was his concern for those he knew and many he did not know, but for whom he was an advocate. Clive was a generous and ready source of advice and counsel on many issues drawing on his broad professional experience.  

Bishop Robert shared: ‘Clive was fully and energetically involved in the long and demanding Synod we have just finished. He was full of creative ideas and proposals. Clive’s death is a huge shock to us all.’ 

Our prayers and condolences are with his wife Linda and his family and friends.

May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

Any cards or letters of condolence can be sent to the Diocesan Office at The Diocese in Europe, 14 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QZ UK and they will be sent to Linda.