Mark Santer was born in 1936, son of Canon Eric Santer and Phyllis Barlow. His father was a distinguished incumbent in Bristol diocese and sometime chairman of the Bristol Diocesan Fellowship. Mark was educated at Marlborough, Queens’ College, Cambridge, and Westcott House.

Before ordination, he studied in the University of Utrecht, during which time he attended a sports festival in East Germany which was, in fact, a cover for a meeting of young Christians. There he met Henriette Weststrate, a psychologist from Amsterdam. He was ordained priest in 1964, marrying Henriette in the same year.

He served his title at Cuddesdon, and was also tutor of the college under the principalship of Robert Runcie, who continued to seek his wisdom. Dr Runcie’s significant address to Lambeth 1988 on the nature of unity and on the inclusiveness of the Anglican Communion was drafted in consultation with a small band of trusted collaborators, Mark among them.

In 1967, he became Fellow and Dean of Clare College, Cambridge, and, in 1973, Principal of Westcott House. At his licensing, Professor Charlie Moule spoke of him as “a principal at the height of his powers, outstanding in learning and pastoral ability”.