Matthew Griffin writes:
FR CHARLES, who came from South-East Asia, served a life of discipleship and ministry in Sheffield and Birmingham. With his scholarship and experience of faith in other parts of the world, he was able to reach out to people from many different backgrounds.
He was quoted recently in an article in a Sheffield newspaper: “I know for certain that I have touched many hearts and minds with the love of Jesus and have brought hope and faith in God into their lives, as an unworthy servant. I thank God for his grace and mercy in my life and ministry.”
Meedperdas Edward Charles was born in Malaya, to parents who valued self sacrifice, the power of prayer, and love for neighbour. Having encountered many dangers and cruelties living in Singapore during the Second World War, Fr Charles started his career as a teacher, but his calling to ordained ministry led to him to serve his first curacy in Malacca, Malaysia.
In Singapore, he was encouraged by Archdeacon Robin Woods to study in England, and, after driving from India to London, he studied at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. By 1958, Archdeacon Woods, who was then in Sheffield, guided Fr Charles to stay in England and become Vicar of St Bartholomew’s, Sheffield.
After four years in Sheffield, family circumstances meant that it was necessary to return to Singapore in 1964. There, he served as a university chaplain and a curate at the cathedral. In 1966, he returned to London, and, after meeting Bishop Wilson of Birmingham (a former Bishop of Singapore), he was offered the parish of Gravelly Hill, Erdington.
Despite some initial local resistance to his appointment, he did encourage growth in the church, and, as part of maintaining an open vicarage, also provided a counselling service. During this time in Birmingham, Fr Charles and his congregation saw a need to reach out to members of other ethnicities and religions. This work was controversial in its time and was given a focus with an annual civic service for Inter-Racial Friendship and Harmony, with representation from politicians, diplomats, public services, and the judiciary.
He was a founding member of the Birmingham Community Relations Council and contributed to the committee that produced Relations with People of Other Faiths: Guidelines for dialogue in Britain, published by the British Council of Churches.
In 1979, he returned to Sheffield, as Vicar of St Augustine’s, Endcliffe. He established links between the parish and the university community. A counselling service was provided at the vicarage, and this became a well-used resource by students and city residents. With graduate volunteers, a Good Neighbour Scheme was also established in the parish, providing help to those in need.
By 1990, a busy and courageous life with periods of ill health required Fr Charles to retire from parish work.
He is survived by his two daughters and two granddaughters.
