Anglican Commemoration
Bishop of Chichester, Ecumenist, & Advocate for Justice
October 3 · d. 1958
also known as George Kennedy Allen Bell
Bishop of Chichester (1929–1958). Prophetic voice against Allied area bombing of German cities in World War II; friend and protector of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church. Ecumenical pioneer and advocate for peace. NOTE: Sexual abuse allegations made in 2015; found 'not established' by independent 2021 review.
George Bell represents prophetic courage in the face of state power and the willingness to stand alone when conscience demands it. His ecumenical work crossed national and confessional lines to defend the persecuted and advance Christian unity. His relationship with Bonhoeffer exemplifies spiritual friendship grounded in shared resistance to tyranny.
George Kennedy Allen Bell (1883–1958) served as Bishop of Chichester from 1929 until his death. Educated at Oxford and Cambridge, Bell was a theologian, liturgist, and ecumenical statesman of profound conviction. As bishop, he earned international respect for his prophetic stands: in 1944, he delivered speeches in the House of Lords criticizing the Allied bombing of German cities as morally unjustifiable, a position that cost him politically. During Nazi occupation, Bell maintained correspondence with Dietrich Bonhoeffer and other members of the German Confessing Church, offering moral and practical support to those resisting totalitarianism. He helped facilitate Bonhoeffer's escape attempts and spoke for persecuted German Christians when diplomatic channels were closed. Bell was instrumental in founding the World Council of Churches and in advancing ecumenical dialogue across denominational and national lines. His liturgical scholarship shaped Anglican worship.
Almighty God, we give you thanks for the ministry of George Bell, who labored that the Church of Jesus Christ might be one: Grant that we, instructed by his teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.