Northern Ireland

Tributes paid to preacher, author and broadcaster Rev Dr Colin Morris

Dr Morris, a past president of the Methodist Conference, passed away aged 89. Picture by Pacemaker
Dr Morris, a past president of the Methodist Conference, passed away aged 89. Picture by Pacemaker Dr Morris, a past president of the Methodist Conference, passed away aged 89. Picture by Pacemaker

TRIBUTES have been paid to preacher, author and broadcaster, Rev Dr Colin Morris who has died aged 89.

Dr Morris, a past president of the Methodist Conference, has been described as "one of the most effective and thoughtful communicators".

He was also a former head of religious broadcasting and controller of BBC Northern Ireland from 1987 to 1991.

Born in Bolton, following his ordination he served as a missionary in Zambia and was later elected as the first President of the United Church of Zambia.

He became a close friend of President Kenneth Kaunda, with whom he worked with during negotiations for Zambia's independence.

Regarded as a gifted speaker, he became a regular broadcaster for the BBC.

In 1978, he was appointed head of BBC television religious programmes and later became an adviser to the director-general before becoming controller of BBC NI.

Rev Canon Gareth J Powell, secretary of the Methodist Conference, said: "Colin Morris was one of the most effective and thoughtful communicators of a generation.

"He took the task seriously, was alert to the contexts in which he served, and above all he waited on God."