Church of England bishop (born 1961)
David Grant Williams (born 16 April 1961) is a Church of England bishop. He is the current Bishop of Basingstoke , a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Winchester .[ 1] Before his consecration in 2014, he was vicar of Christ Church, Winchester .[ 2] In December 2024, it was announced he is to become the next Bishop of Truro .[ 3]
Early life
Williams was born on 16 April 1961 in Reading , England,[ 4] and spend his childhood in Uganda .[ 2] He studied social policy at the University of Bristol , graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.[ 1]
After university, he spent a number of years working in Kenya with the Church Mission Society . Along with his missionary work , he was deputy head of a secondary school in eastern Kenya.[ 2] He returned to the UK to study for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford .[ 1]
Ordained ministry
Williams began his ordained ministry as a curate at All Saints Church, Ecclesall , in the Diocese of Sheffield from 1989 to 1992. He was then vicar of Christ Church, Dore , before being appointed Rural Dean of Ecclesall in 1997. In 2002, he became the vicar of Christ Church , Winchester .[ 1] During his time at Christ Church, he also served the wider community: he set up the city's street pastors project, and made visits to Winchester Prison , to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and to the University of Winchester .[ 5] [ 6] In 2012, he was appointed an honorary canon of Winchester Cathedral .[ 1]
He was elected to the General Synod , the governing body of the Church of England, in 2010. As a priest, he joined the House of Clergy. In 2012, he was appointed Chair of the House of Clergy of the Winchester diocesan synod .[ 1] He stood down from these appointments upon becoming a bishop.
Episcopal ministry
In June 2014, it was announced that he would be the next Bishop of Basingstoke , a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Winchester .[ 1] On 19 September 2014, he was consecrated a bishop at Winchester Cathedral by Justin Welby , Archbishop of Canterbury .[ 7] He led his first service as bishop at St Michael's Church, Basingstoke on 28 September 2014.[ 5]
On 20 May 2021, it was reported that Tim Dakin , Bishop of Winchester , had "stepped back" as diocesan bishop for six weeks, in light of the threat of a diocesan synod motion of no confidence in his leadership. Williams also "stepped back" and Debbie Sellin , Bishop of Southampton , served as acting diocesan bishop.[ 8] Williams' leave was later extended to the end of August 2021.[ 9]
On 11 December 2024, the Prime Minister's Office announced that Williams was to be the next Bishop of Truro . No date was given for the translation .[ 3] [ 10]
Personal life
In 1986, Williams married Helen Pacey.[ 11] They have one daughter and one son, Sarah and Mark.[ 1]
References
Office holders Selected deaneries Historic offices