Colin Williams (priest)

Colin Henry Williams (born 12 August 1952) is a British Anglican priest. Since 2015, he has served as an Archdeacon in the Diocese in Europe; he was Archdeacon of Lancaster from 1999 to 2005.[2]

Colin Williams
Archdeacon of Europe
DioceseDiocese in Europe
In officeOctober 2015 – March 2019
Other postsArchdeacon of Lancaster (1999–2005)
General Secretary, CEC (2005–2010)
Orders
Ordination1981 (deacon); 1982 (priest)
by David Sheppard
Personal details
Born (1952-08-12) 12 August 1952
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam and Blanche Williams
SpouseSingle[1]
ProfessionSolicitor (former)
Alma materPembroke College, Oxford

Early life and education

Williams was born on 12 August 1952, the son of William Henry Williams and Blanche Williams. He was educated at King George V Grammar School for Boys, Southport, and Pembroke College, Oxford, whence he graduated Bachelor of Arts (BA) 1973 and proceeded Master of Arts (Oxford) (MA Oxon) 1977. He trained at the College of Law, Chester, qualified and practised as a solicitor in Wigan, 1974–1978.[2]

Ordained ministry

Williams trained for the ministry at St Stephen's House, Oxford, 1980–1981, gaining a second BA.[3] He was made a deacon at Petertide 1981 (12 July)[4] and ordained a priest the Petertide following (4 July 1982) — both times by David Sheppard, Bishop of Liverpool, at Liverpool Cathedral.[5] After a curacy at St Paul's Stoneycroft, Liverpool, he was Team Vicar in Walton from 1984 to 1989. He served as domestic chaplain to the Bishop of Blackburn (Alan Chesters) — and Chaplain (lead clergy) of Whalley Abbey retreat and conference centre – from 1989 to 1994. Whilst Vicar of St Chad's Poulton-le-Fylde from 1994 to 1999,[3] he was also elected a Proctor in Convocation, serving two quinquennia (1995–2005), and became a member of the Meissen Commission (1996–2005).

In 1999, he was collated Archdeacon of Lancaster (in the Diocese of Blackburn), which post he held (he was afterwards made "archdeacon emeritus")[2] until his 2005 appointment as General Secretary of the ecumenical Conference of European Churches,[6] based in Geneva.[1] While Archdeacon, he was a member of the Council for Christian Unity, 2003–2005;[2] he was later made an honorary canon of Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar, 2007–2010.[3] He returned to parish ministry in 2010, becoming Team Rector of the Ludlow Team Ministry;[7] during which time he was made an honorary canon and prebendary of Hereford Cathedral from 2014 onwards.[2]

On 24 May 2015, it was announced that Williams would become Archdeacon of Europe[8][9] — i.e. the first full-time Archdeacon in the Diocese in Europe from October 2015. Historically, archdeacons in Europe have had other parochial (chaplaincy) duties in addition to their work as archdeacons. He is in charge of both the Eastern archdeaconry and that of Germany and Northern Europe, and he is based in Frankfurt, Germany.[1]

In 2018, it was announced that Williams is to retire effective 31 March 2019.[10]

References
  1. Diocese in Europe — First full time archdeacon appointed Archived 29 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 29 May 2015)
  2. "Williams, Colin Henry". Who's Who. ukwhoswho.com. 2014 (November 2014 online ed.). A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Retrieved 29 May 2015. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  3. "Colin Henry Williams". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  4. "Petertide ordinations". Church Times (#6177). 3 July 1981. p. 16. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 6 January 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  5. "Petertide ordinations". Church Times (#6229). 2 July 1982. p. 4. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 6 January 2019 – via UK Press Online archives.
  6. Church of England website. Archived:
  7. "Photo of the Ven C. H. Williams" Archived:
  8. BBC News — Ludlow rector to become Archdeacon of Europe
  9. Church Times — Review of the year 2015: appointments
  10. "Resignations and retirements". Church Times (#8103). 6 July 2018. p. 42. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
Church of England titles
Preceded by
Robert Ladds		 Archdeacon of Lancaster
1999–2005		 Succeeded by
Peter Ballard
Preceded by
Patrick Curran
as Archdeacon of the Eastern Archdeaconry		 Archdeacon of Europe
2015–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Jonathan Lloyd
as Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe
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