David Richardson

David John Leyburn Richardson (1946-2026) was an Australian Anglican priest, liturgist, ecumenist, cathedral dean and director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

Early life and ministry David Richardson was born in Townsville, Queensland, as the youngest of three brothers, but spent most of his childhood in England in North Devon and then the Midlands where his father worked as a priest. He finished his schooling at the Anglican (formerly Church of England) Grammar School, (known as "Churchie"), Brisbane, where he was a member of the chapel choir and the debating society.

After completing a degree in English literature at the University of Queensland, Richardson studied theology at St Barnabas College in Adelaide. He was ordained as deacon in 1970 and as priest in 1971 in the diocese of Brisbane and worked in parishes in Maryborough and Ipswich.

Richardson returned to the United Kingdom in 1975 to undertake a postgraduate diploma in pastoral theology at the University of Birmingham. at the university from 1976 to 1979. He then went back to St Barnabas College in Adelaide as sub-warden where he taught New Testament studies, liturgy and pastoral care and spirituality until 1982. Following this, he became rector of Christ Church in St Lucia, Brisbane. At St Paul's, he led a public appeal which raised 18 million dollars to restore the cathedral's spires and improve the interior of the building. His contribution is commemorated by the 2009 stone sculpture of his head created by Melbourne artist Smiley Williams and carved by Daryl Gilbert high up on the exterior of the cathedral's central "Moorhouse" spire. He also developed the music at St Paul's, creating the new position of "Dean's Chorister".

In 2003, Richardson was publicly criticised for the decision to hang a large banner on a cathedral spire facing Swanston Street with the words "Peace not War" as a protest against the Iraq War. He responded: "If the cathedral can't witness to the Prince of Peace, who can?"

On his departure from St Paul's in 2008, the cathedral chapter awarded Richardson the title of Dean Emeritus. This honour recognised "his ministry in two metropolitan cathedrals (Adelaide and Melbourne) for the past two decades, his marvellous achievement in restoring the building of St Paul’s Cathedral, and his ministry which built up the attendances and finances in Melbourne".

At the conclusion of his tenure as dean, Richardson reflected on the impact the role had made on his ministry: ...Melbourne matured me, and helped me to look for other interpretations, explanations, and nuances, than the one that immediately hits you in the face. And so I suppose [I’ve gained] a level of theological reflection, of being able to talk to people, get beside people, and understand where they’re coming from.

Wider church leadership Richardson was for 10 years the clerical representative for Australia on the Anglican Consultative Council (1992–2002). He was also a member of the Anglican Church of Australia's General Synod (1988-2007) and its standing committee (1989-2007).

Liturgical contributions For 25 years Richardson was a member of the Australian National Liturgical Commission (1982-2004) and was its executive secretary for 15 years (1985-2004). This Eucharistic prayer represented an innovation in Australian Anglican worship by drawing on the institution narrative in Mark's Gospel instead of the more commonly used Pauline sources.

Anglican Centre in Rome In December 2007, Richardson was appointed as the representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to the Holy See and the director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. He was installed in this position by Archbishop Williams in May 2008 at a ceremony in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. His responsibilities included running courses on spirituality and prayer and visiting countries including the UK, Canada and New Zealand to foster Anglican-Catholic dialogue and promote the work of the Anglican Centre. During his tenure Richardson played key roles in the 2008 Lambeth Conference, the first state visit of a pope to the UK in 2010 (Pope Benedict XVI) and visits of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Vatican in 2009 and 2012. He also hosted the first visit of a head of state to the centre (Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd) in 2009 and was an official Anglican delegate to the inauguration of Pope Francis in 2013.

One of Richardson's achievements was the co-drafting of an ecumenical "covenant" between the Anglican Centre and the Caravita Catholic Community (Oratory of San Francesco Saverio del Caravita in Rome) in April 2013. This affirmed the two organisations' commonalities of faith and mission and committed them to working together. The covenant was renewed in 2024 by the serving Archbishop of Canterbury.

Richardson's time in office coincided with what he called the "surprising" 2009 announcement by the Vatican of a provision to allow groups of Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while retaining several Anglican distinctives, including married clergy. He also witnessed the first resignation of a pope in the modern era (Benedict XVI in February 2013).

He retired in April 2013 and was succeeded by Archbishop David Moxon.

Later life In retirement, Richardson returned to Australia where he was locum dean of St George's Cathedral, Perth (2014), and honorary associate priest at All Saints', Kooyong, Melbourne (2021-2026).

Honours and awards 40px Richardson was a chaplain of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Order of St John) (ChStJ) from 1996 onward.

40px He was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours (UK) for services to strengthening relations between the UK, the Anglican Communion and the Holy See.

40px Richardson was named an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2016 Australia Day Honours for distinguished service to religion and to the Anglican Church of Australia, through international representational, ecumenical development and interfaith co-operation roles.

He was installed as one of four honorary provincial canons of Canterbury Cathedral in June 2010 and was an honorary provincial emeritus canon from 2013 onward.