1918 - 2009

Louis Charles Birch died in Sydney, NSW, Australia on December 19 after a short illness.

Professor Birch, an eminent biologist and theologian, was born in Melbourne.  He was Professor of Zoology at Sydney University (1960-1963), Challis Professor of Biology (1963-1983), vice-chairman of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Church and Society Committee (1970-1984), won the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (1990) and often commented about the significant influence of the Australian Student Christian Movement on his life.

At the WCC's 5th Assembly in Nairobi Professor Birch addressed those assembled promoting the concept of sustainability.  This was followed by a decision to adopt the WCC program on the "just, participatory and sustainable society" (JPSS).