From the podcast archive: Richard Harries on The Shaping of a Soul: A life taken by surprise

Tributes have been paid to Richard Harries, a former Bishop of Oxford , long-serving peer, and prolific writer, who died on 29 April at the age of 89. He was a frequent contributor to the Church Times. In 2023, Lord Harries was interviewed on this podcast about his memoir, The Shaping of a Soul: A life taken by surprise (John Hunt) (Books, 6 April 2023). On this week’s podcast there’s another chance to hear the interview about his fascinating life. In this week’s Church Times, an obituary of Lord Harries is published, as well as his last book review for the paper. The Shaping of a Soul is available from the Church House Bookshop: https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781803411620/shaping-of-a-soul-the https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/8-may/gazette/obituaries/obituary-the-rt-revd-the-lord-harries-of-pentregarth https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/8-may/books-arts/book-reviews/book-review-vermeer-a-life-lost-and-found-by-andrew-graham-dixon Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader