It is with truly heavy hearts that the United Reformed Church shares news of the death of the Revd Dr Peter Cruchley, who passed away on 15 August having been diagnosed with cancer in January this year.
Peter was a URC minister, who served in Ely, Cardiff 1992-2001, North Cardiff Group 2001-2007, and Rhiwbina 2007-2016. In 2016, he joined the Council for World Mission (CWM), serving as Mission Secretary for Mission Development (2016-2022), and in 2022, Peter joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) as Director of the Commission for World Mission & Evangelism (CWME).
Peter was the driving force behind CWM’s Legacies of Slavery Project, which has informed the URC’s own commitment to addressing the continuing legacies, including our 2022 statement of Confession & Apology, and our ongoing work towards repairing justice. The son of missionary parents, he was absolutely committed to sharing the life-flourishing news of the Gospel by encouraging all not just to hear, but to follow in the radical footsteps of Jesus.
Peter was insistent and fearless in his call to justice, with former colleague, the Revd Dr Collin Cowan, Moderator, United Church of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands, reflecting: “Peter lived with justice and carried the agenda with passion. He was courageous and daring in his prophetic uttering; he stood his ground for his convictions; and he made himself vulnerable for the cause of peace.”
Peter was vocal in challenging the Church to confront its role in transatlantic slavery, colonisation, and the racist legacies which scar our world today.
URC and CWM colleague the Revd Dr Michael Jagessar, says: “For Peter, full and flourishing life for all meant that our God-talk must mean accountability in acknowledging and being sorry for our complicity in unjust habits – and making concrete acts towards repair and redressing of the resulting injustices. He was absolutely convicted that this is the Jesus way of restorative justice. CWM’s legacies project would not have happened without the generosity and commitment of Peter Cruchley. He gave everything for this.”
Peter’s work and influence, calling for healing through humility, honesty and reparatory actions, enjoyed an even wider reach during his time with the WCC.
Peter was husband to Lena; father to daughters Enfys and Eleri, and had an infant grandson who he described as “our perfect boy”. He was a beloved friend and regarded as “brother” by many colleagues around the globe. We are devastated that we can no longer see Peter – or enjoy his company – yet there is no doubt that his influence will live on. Peter has left a lasting impression on the URC, CWM, the WCC, and numerous churches worldwide who are still being impacted by his work.
We give thanks for Peter – a life lived exceedingly well, and we pray that God will grant his family, and all of us, the assurance that his soul is resting in peace.