He succeeds Ruth Arlow who has served the Diocese with distinction.
The Chancellor acts as the independent judge of the Consistory Court, overseeing legal issues across the Diocese, especially those which relate to the use of and alterations to church buildings and land.
He will work closely with the Diocesan Registrar, the Archdeacons and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
David is an experienced ecclesiastical lawyer and judge and studied Law and Public & Social Administration at Keble College, Oxford. He is a former Head of Chambers at Red Lion Chambers in London where he practices as Queen’s Counsel. He worships at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge and the Temple Church.
His Chambers has a very long connection with East Anglia and Norwich. He sits as a Recorder of the Crown Court and is a former chair of the Bar’s Professional Conduct Committee. He was Deputy Chancellor at Norwich in the early 2000s.
Bishop Graham said:
“I am delighted that David Etherington has accepted my invitation to become the new Diocesan Chancellor. David comes with a wealth of experience as he is also the Chancellor of the Diocese of Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
“His knowledge of church buildings, and how they can be used to serve their communities and further the mission of Christ’s church, impressed the interview panel.
“I look forward to his time with us and the crucial support that he will offer to parishes.”
David Etherington QC, Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, said:
“I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed the Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich and to have been given this opportunity to take forward my colleague Ruth Arlow’s exceptional work in looking after the astonishing variety of wonderful churches in this diocese.
“Churches are living buildings which need to carry out the Church’s mission at the very centre of their communities. I believe we cherish their history, conserve their true character, aid their crucial role in mission and keep them from damage and decay only if we can put them at the heart of people’s everyday lives. This means being imaginative and bold, as well as respectful and admiring, remembering that we are all trustees of these buildings both to keep and use them in our time and to pass them on to future generations.”
David was licensed as the Chancellor on Monday 2 September 2019, and there will be a service in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday 12 January 2020 at 3.30pm when he will be installed.