David Robert Chillingworth (born 23 June 1951) is an Anglican bishop. He was Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane between 2004 and 2017, until his retirement. He was also the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 2009 to 2016.
David Chillingworth | |
|---|---|
| Primus Emeritus of the Scottish Episcopal Church | |
_(cropped).jpg) Chillingworth in 2014 | |
| Church | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane |
| In office | 13 June 2009 – 27 June 2016 |
| Predecessor | Idris Jones |
| Successor | Mark Strange |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane (2004–2017) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1976 |
| Consecration | 5 March 2004 by Bruce Cameron |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Chillingworth 23 June 1951 |
| Nationality | Dual British & Irish |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Alison |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin Oriel College, Oxford Ripon College Cuddesdon |
Early life and education
editChillingworth was born in Dublin in 1951 but grew up in Northern Ireland.[1] He was educated at Portora Royal School and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.[2] He studied classics at Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1973. He then studied theology at Oriel College, Oxford, and graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA degree in 1975. That year, he entered Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college, to undertake one year of training for ordained ministry.[3][4]
Ordained ministry
editChillingworth was ordained in the Church of Ireland as a deacon in 1976 and as a priest in 1978.[4] His parish ministry was consistently focused on issues of conflict and reconciliation, particularly in relation to sectarianism. He also served as the Church of Ireland Youth Officer from 1979 to 1983.[1] Before moving to Scotland in 2005 he was the rector for 19 years of Seagoe Parish Church in Portadown and Archdeacon of Dromore and from 1995 to 2002 the Dean of Dromore.
Episcopal ministry
editOn 5 March 2004, Chillingworth was consecrated as a bishop at St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth.[1] He then became the bishop of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, making him one of the seven diocesan bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church.[5] Although it is not uncommon for the Scottish Episcopal Church to elect bishops from outside the boundaries of Scotland, the choice of Chillingworth was unusual in that he was elected from the Church of Ireland.[6] He had never previously worked in Scotland and had lived most of his life in Northern Ireland.[citation needed]
On 13 June 2009, Chillingworth was elected the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church by the other bishops.[7] The post of primus is held in addition to being a diocesan bishop. He supported same sex marriage and this was introduced to the church following a successful vote to remove the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman from the Canon on Marriage in 2017.[8][9] He stepped down as Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and as Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church at the end of July 2017.[10]
Since 2018, he has held permission to officiate in the Diocese of Edinburgh.[11]
Personal life
editChillingworth is married to Alison. Together, they have three children: one daughter, and two sons.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c "The Bishop". About the Diocese. The Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Chillingworth, Rt Rev. David Robert, (born 23 June 1951), Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, 2005–17; Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, 2009–17". Who's Who 2020. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
- ^ a b "David Robert Chillingworth". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ Anglican Communion website.
- ^ Election details Archived 2009-01-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "New Primus for the Scottish Episcopal Church". The Scottish Episcopal Church. General Synod of The Scottish Episcopal Church. 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "Outgoing leader of Scottish Episcopal Church 'not leaving poisoned chalice'". BBC News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ Strange, Aidan (8 June 2017). "Church votes to allow Equal Marriage". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ Finley, Lorna (9 February 2017). "The Most Rev David Chillingworth announces his retirement". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "David Robert Chillingworth". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 19 May 2024.