The New Rector of the Central Swansea team is The Revd Simon Griffiths.
Fr Simon who is currently Vicar of St Matthew’s in Sheffield returns to his native Wales and will take up his post on September 19th. He was born in Bridgend in 1962. During the early 60’s his family emigrated to Australia and lived for six years in Geelong, near Melbourne.
Returning to the UK in 1970, Fr Simon was educated at Mynydd Cynffig School, before going to Canterbury to study Music, graduating with a BA (Hons) in 1984. In the same year he entered Chichester Theological College and was ordained Deacon in 1987 and Priest in 1988, both at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
Fr Simon served his curacy in the parish of St John the Baptist in Cardiff, a busy city centre parish, containing three churches, two church schools, a hospital and a prison. In 1991 he was appointed Succentor and Minor Canon at Rochester Cathedral, his principal duties being to act as cantor for the choral services, the planning and preparation of cathedral services, and pastoral care of the cathedral congregation. During his time in Rochester he also studied for a Master’s degree in Applied Theology at the University of Kent.
In 1996 he became Chaplain of the University College in Chichester where he was privileged to minister to staff and students, officiated at services in the college chapel, lectured in Christian Ethics, as Senior Resident Tutor liaised between students, support and ancillary staff, and acted as male counsellor on the Student Services counselling team.
Fr Simon comes to Swansea with a wealth of experience. He has been Vicar of St Matthew’s Sheffield since 2001. Being the city centre parish experiencing much change along with regeneration, he has sought to engage with various agencies, both statutary and charitable in serving the needs of the city centre, especially the vulnerable and homeless. He has also provided chaplaincy to the Sheffield Theatres, often writing reviews of the latest productions, as well as chaplaincy to the Civil Service and RAMC Association.
Nominated as a representative of the Diocese of Sheffield he has been a member of Sacre contributing to discussions concerning the teaching of RE in local schools. Elected Vice Chair of the City Centre Forum he has contributed to discussions and debates concerning issues and developments within the city centre. Valuing the close relationship that currently exists between the ecumenical churches of the city centre, he has for some years been elected Chairperson of the local Churches Together.
He has also enjoyed singing tenor with an accomplished chamber choir Viva Voce, and is often seen enjoying scenic walks in the Peak District in his time off. Fr Simon said “I am looking forward to returning home to Wales, to ‘a welcome in the hillside’ and to working with the team in the Benefice of Central Swansea.”
