Rev Dr Paul Avis
1947-

Rev. Dr. Paul Avis is a renowned Anglican priest, theologian, and ecumenist. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity (1970) and PhD (1976) from the University of London, completing his doctoral thesis on Bishop Charles Gore. Following curacies and parish ministry in Devon (1975–1998), he served as General Secretary of the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity (1998–2011) and later as Theological Consultant to the Anglican Communion Office (2011–2012). He has held honorary professorships at Exeter (2009–2021), Durham (2017–2021), and Edinburgh (2022–), and chaired the Centre for the Study of the Christian Church. From 2008 to 2013, he served as Canon Theologian of Exeter Cathedral and was Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II (2008–2017).

A prolific author and editor, Avis founded the peer-reviewed journal Ecclesiology in 2004 and leads Brill’s Anglican‑Episcopal Theology & History series. His key works include In Search of Authority (2014), The Vocation of Anglicanism (2016), Jesus and the Church (2020), and Reconciling Theology (2022). He has served on the Church of England’s Doctrine Commission, General Synod, and as a senior member of the Inter‑Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith & Order.

Paul Avis is respected for his thoughtful integration of Anglican identity, ecclesiology, and ecumenical dialogue, recognized by former Archbishop Rowan Williams for his “wide‑ranging, constructive and sane” theological voice.

Documents authored by Rev Dr Paul Avis