A FORMER Rector of St Brelade and vice-Dean of Jersey has been honoured after “devoting his life” to the reconciliation between Germany, Great Britain and Jersey from 1947 onwards.
The Reverend Canon Michael Halliwell has been presented with the Bailiff’s Silver Seal and the German Embassy’s German-British Friendship Award.
Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae presented the Silver Seal to 96-year-old Canon Halliwell at a virtual ceremony due to his declining health.
In the company of one of his sons, David, and daughters Elisabeth, Katharine and Rachel, he received the award in the presence of the German Ambassador His Excellency Miguel Berger, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, Deputy Chief Minister Tom Binet, Deputy Philip Ozouf, who nominated him for the award, and officials from Jersey’s External Relations Department. Canon Halliwell’s other son, Philip, was unable to attend the ceremony.
The award citation recognises Canon Halliwell’s “service to the community and to the betterment of humanity through his work of reconciliation”.
It continues: “The Reverend Canon Halliwell’s long record of service included a period between 1962 and 1967 when he served as Chaplain to the British Embassy in Bonn, capital of the West Germany prior to reunification.
“After a short period in the UK, he returned to Jersey, serving as Rector of St Brelade from 1971 to 1996, in which capacity he led efforts to bring together Allied and German veterans to heal the wounds of war over many years.
“He has devoted his life as a Christian to the process of reconciliation, recognising that we can forgive but we should not forget.
“His lifelong dedication to building peace and common understanding between nations is commended.”
Mr MacRae described the opportunity to recognise Canon Halliwell’s work on behalf of Islanders as “a privilege”, while the German Ambassador said: “I fondly recall meeting the Reverend Halliwell in his former parish of St Brelade during last year’s Liberation Day commemorations. His warmth and commitment left a lasting impression on me.”
Canon Halliwell’s son David said on behalf of the family: “My father spent much of the nearly 70 years of his ministry focussing on reconciliation.
“He did a lot behind the scenes and so to be recognised by the two places he has loved above all others – Jersey and Germany – means an enormous amount to him and to his family.”
