The Diocese of Truro has announced the death the Venerable Paul Bryer, Archdeacon of Cornwall, at the age of 65.

Archdeacon Paul was installed on September 1, 2019, at Truro Cathedral by the then Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen. He had previously spent 25 years in the Diocese of Guildford, including as Archdeacon of Dorking.

He was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021, and in September that year - Blood Cancer Awareness Month – he cycled 27 miles along the Bissoe Trail, from Devoran to Portreath and back, raising £1,600 and marking the fact that someone is diagnosed with the condition in the UK every 27 minutes.

Bishop Hugh Nelson, acting Bishop of Truro, said: “Paul’s confidence and faith in Christ shone through everything he did and everything he said. Whether it was cycling, preaching, doing the work of an Archdeacon, walking with his beloved dog, Molly, or praying quietly, he did it for God. It has been a great privilege to serve alongside him in this wonderful diocese, and he will be much missed.”

Diocesan secretary Simon Cade said: “Paul came to us with a love for Cornwall and its people, and a passionate belief that God had called him here for this time. In the darkest days of the pandemic, it was often Paul’s reminder of God’s enduring purposes that recalled us to a hope that, though sometimes veiled, gave profound comfort and strength to many.

As Archdeacon of Cornwall, Paul helped steer the Diocese of Truro in a strategic and missional direction, focussing on resourcing and releasing parishes and deaneries for mission and ministry through the Saints’ Way diocesan vision.

A lifelong supporter of Southampton FC, aka The Saints, Paul often said he had three great loves: faith, family and football. He enjoyed surfing at Harlyn Bay with his three children, Daniel, Naomi and Jonathan; and exploring the South West Coastal path with his wife Fiona.