The Reverend Andrew Swift has been appointed Dean of the Diocese of Argyll and The lsles. In making the appointment Bishop Kevin said: “It is a particularly exciting time in the life of the Diocese and Andrew will bring to the role of Dean both spiritual insight and practical skill. I am delighted that he has accepted the post.”
Andrew has been priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity, Dunoon and St Paul’s, Rothesay since 2010 having previously served in the Diocese of Gloucester.
The Very Rev’d Andrew Swift commented: “It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to serve the Diocese and the wider Scottish Episcopal Church as the next Dean of Argyll and The Isles. As well as continuing my duties in the linked charges of Cowal and Bute, I am looking forward very much to working closely with Bishop Kevin and the diocesan staff, and of course getting to know the many and varied communities within our beautiful but widely dispersed Diocese.”
The role of the Dean of a Diocese in the Scottish Episcopal Church is both administrative and pastoral. The administrative duties include oversight of church buildings and inspection of the registers, inventories and records of congregations, and generally acting on behalf of the Bishop when required. Other roles include supporting the Bishop in his ministry in the Diocese and deputising for the Bishop in a variety of situations. The office of Dean has been vacant following the retirement of The Very Rev’d Norman MacCallum.
The United Diocese of Argyll and The Isles is one of the seven historic dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church. With cathedrals in Oban and on the Isle of Cumbrae, the Diocese extends from Iona as far inland as Glencoe and from Lewis and the Western Isles south to Kintyre and Arran.
