Angus Morrison (minister)

Angus Morrison, QHC (born 1953) is a minister of the Church of Scotland who was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2015–2016. He had been nominated for the role a year earlier but withdrew because of ill health. He is an Extra Chaplain to the King in Scotland, appointed in 2023.

The Very Reverend

Angus Morrison

QHC
Moderator of the General Assembly
ChurchChurch of Scotland (since 2000)
Associated Presbyterian Churches (1989 – 2000)
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (1979 – 1989)
In officeMay 2015 to May 2016
PredecessorJohn Chalmers
SuccessorRussell Barr
Orders
Ordination1979
Personal details
Born1953 (age 69–70)
Glen Coe, Scotland
NationalityScottish
DenominationPresbyterianism
Alma materUniversity of Glasgow
New College, Edinburgh

Early life and education

Morrison was born in Glencoe, Scotland, in 1953. His father worked for the Northern Lighthouse Board and, as a child, Morrison lived in various places around Scotland and went to school in Oban, Stromness and Edinburgh. He studied Classics and Divinity at the University of Glasgow, followed by studies at the Universities of Pisa and London. He studied for a doctorate (PhD) at New College of the University of Edinburgh.[1]

Ordained ministry

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and Associated Presbyterian Churches

Highly unusually for a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Morrison was not ordained by the Church of Scotland. He was ordained by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1979. He served as a minister in Oban between 1979 and 1986, and as a minister in Edinburgh between 1986 and 1989. During the latter period, he served as Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church's Southern Presbytery.

Following a split in the Free Presbyterian Church in 1989 (in the aftermath of the decision of Lord Mackay of Clashfern to attend the Requiem Mass of a colleague), Morrison joined the Associated Presbyterian Churches (APC). He became minister of the Edinburgh congregation of the APC, serving from 1989 to 2000. He was also Moderator of the General Assembly of the APC during the 1998 to 1999 session.

Church of Scotland

In 2000, Morrison became a minister of the Church of Scotland. He served as minister of St Columba's Old Parish Church, Stornoway, before moving to Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church (in Perth and Kinross) in 2011. Within the Church of Scotland he served as the Moderator of the Presbytery of Lewis for the 2003 to 2004 session, Convener of the Mission and Discipleship Council (2005-2009) and Chaplain to the Lord High Commissioner (2005 and 2006).[2]

On 29 October 2013 he was nominated to be Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for 2014–15.[1][3] In March 2014, two months ahead of taking up the role, the Church of Scotland announced that Morrison had withdrawn his nomination as Moderator on grounds of ill health,[4] Following this, John Chalmers (Principal Clerk to the General Assembly) was selected to be Moderator ahead of the 2014–15 session.[5][6] On 28 October 2014 Morrison was again successfully nominated to be Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, for 2015–16.[7]

He retired from his charge of Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church on 30 September 2021.[8] His final Sunday worship service at Orwell and Portmoak was on 26 September 2021.[9]

Morrison was appointed a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland in 2006.[10] He was appointed an Extra Chaplain to King Charles III in Scotland in September 2023.[11]

Personal life

He can speak Gaelic and Italian as well as English. He is married and has four children.[1]

References
  1. "New Church of Scotland moderator announced as Dr Angus Morrison". BBC News. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. Who's Who in Scotland, 2012 edition, Carrick Media, Ayr, ISBN 978 0 9565748 4 8
  3. "Church of Scotland press release, 29 October 2013". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
  4. "Kirk moderator designate steps down due to ill health". BBC News. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  5. "New Kirk moderator chosen after previous appointee withdraws". BBC News. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  6. "Moderator-Designate withdraws due to ill health". Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  7. "Second chance at Kirk moderator job for Dr Angus Morrison". BBC News. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  8. "Orwell and Portmoak Church Facebook". Facebook. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  9. "Orwell and Portmoak Church - 26th September 21 (Angus' farewell service)". YouTube. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  10. Appendix to the Court Circular, 27 April 2006
  11. Appendix to the Court Circular, 22 September 2023


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