Diocese of Down & Dromore

The Rt Rev David Chillingworth has been elected Primus of The Scottish Episcopal Church at an Episcopal Synod held during the annual meeting of the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Bishop David was the single nomination and his election was supported by all other six bishops.

Bishop David has been Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane since 2005 when he left the Parish of Seagoe, Portadown, where he was rector for 19 years and also Archdeacon of Dromore. He succeeds the Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway who stepped down as Primus last night following his recent announcement to retire from the office of diocesan bishop.

Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, expressed his delight at the news.

"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."

Born in Dublin in 1951, Bishop David grew up in Northern Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Oriel College, Oxford.

His training for ministry was at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, in the Church of England. Ordained in Belfast in 1976, much of his working life has been spent at the heart of the Northern Ireland conflict. His work in parish ministry was consistently focused on the challenge of reconciliation and the problems of sectarianism. He also served as Church of Ireland Youth Officer from 1979-1983 before moving to Seagoe.

Rev Terence Cadden, who succeeded Bishop David as Rector of Seagoe, added his congratulations and that of the parish.

"We are delighted for David and Alison - it has been an honour and privilege to follow them in ministry here in Portadown. As a parish we wish him the blessing, equipping and guidance of the Holy Spirit for the onerous responsibility placed upon him."

Bishop David, who now becomes the Most Rev (the title given to a Primus) 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.”

Bishop David 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.

Click here to hear an interview with the newly elected Primus.