Press Releases15 Jun 09

Bishop David Chillingworth Elected New Scottish Primus

Bishop Chillingworth (second left) elected as Primus, with Scottish Episcopal Bishops (courtesy of The Scottish Episcopal Church) 

Archbishop of Armagh and Bishop of Down & Dromore Congratulate New Scottish Episcopal Primus

The Rt Revd David Chillingworth has been elected Primus of The Scottish Episcopal Church. He was elected at an Episcopal Synod held during the annual meeting of the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church on Saturday 13 June 2009.

The new Primus has been Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane since 2005, which followed his ministry within the Church of Ireland: at the Parish of Seagoe, Portadown, where he was Rector for 19 years (1986-2005); Dean of Dromore (1995-2002); Archdeacon of Dromore (2002-5); and as the Church of Ireland Youth Officer from 1979 to 1983.

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Alan Harper, said:

'I want to express my delight at the election of Bishop David Chillingworth as the new Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. David made a remarkable contribution to church life in Ireland as Rector of Seagoe, as Archdeacon of Dromore and before that as a ground-breaking Youth Officer. Everyone in the Church of Ireland will wish to offer David their congratulations and prayers for his newly-extended ministry in Scotland. I look forward to working with him more closely as one of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.'

The Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, also expressed his delight at the news, saying:

'What a pleasure it is to hear of the appointment of Bishop David Chillingworth as Primus of The Scottish Episcopal Church. David was a wonderful colleague in his role as Dean and Archdeacon and has also been a personal friend for 40 years. We assure him of our fervent prayers as he leads The Scottish Episcopal Church into the future and as he takes on his role as a Primate in the Anglican Communion. The Scottish Episcopal Church has, in David, someone who understands the Communion from very different angles, and my prayer is that God would use him as a wise and healing influence in his new role.'

The Most Revd David Chillingworth (as he has now become) succeeds the Most Revd Dr Idris Jones, Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway. He replied to his election by expressing his deep honour at the trust being placed in him and spoke of the challenges facing the Church at this time saying, 'We are living in an increasingly open and secular society. This is not an easy place for churches. But it is the kind of society in which small churches like the Scottish Episcopal Church can make a special contribution in mission and service. Our debate on "The Mission of the Scottish Episcopal Church" during General Synod showed that we have a new vision for mission. We face other challenges. Economic recession brings difficulties for business life and for families. It affects the Church too. We have some very difficult decisions to make about how we can sustain our life and work with less resources available.'

Born in Dublin in 1951, Bishop Chillingworth grew up in Northern Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin and at Oriel College, Oxford. He is married to Alison, who is a Social Worker who specialises in Fostering and Adoption. They have three grown-up children, Anna, Simon and Mark.

ENDS

For further information, visit: www.scotland.anglican.org