|PIC1|The Scottish Episcopal Church has elected the Rt Rev David Chillingworth as its new Primus.

The hails from Northern Ireland and has been Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane since 2005. Prior to his move to Scotland, he spent many years working to build reconciliation and overcome sectarianism as a minister in the Church of Ireland.

He was the single nomination for the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Primus and his election was supported by the Church’s six other bishops.

He takes over as Primus from the Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, who stepped down from the post at the Church’s Synod last night.

In an address to Synod last night, Bishop Chillingworth spoke of his hope for the Church in difficult times.

“We are living in an increasingly open and secular society. This is not an easy place for churches. But it the kind of society in which small churches like the Scottish Episcopal Church can make a special contribution in mission and service,” he said.

|PIC2|“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.”

Under his new role as Primus, Bishop Chillingworth will preside over the College of Bishops and represent them and the wider Church at home and throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion.

After coming to the Diocese of St Andrews, Bishop Chillingworth worked with clergy to carry out a major review of the life of the diocese and its congregations. This has led to the mission initiative Casting the Net, which was launched in every church of the diocese on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, to encourage clergy and people to reach out into the communities in which they live.