Rt. Rev. Donald Seymour Arden
1916-2014

Series: Donald Arden (1916-2014)

Rt. Rev. Donald Seymour Arden (April 12, 1916 – July 18, 2014) was a British‑Australian Anglican missionary, bishop, and archbishop who dedicated much of his life to the Church in Central and Southern Africa. Born in Boscombe, Hampshire, he earned his B.A. from the University of Leeds and trained for ordination at Mirfield, becoming a deacon in 1939 and priest in 1940.

He began his ministry in Africa in 1944, serving with the Pretoria African Mission and later as Director of the Usuthu Mission in Swaziland (1951–1961). In 1961, Arden was consecrated Bishop of Nyasaland (later Malawi), a position he held until 1971, after which he became Bishop of Southern Malawi and Archbishop of Central Africa (1971–1980). He was a key advocate for the indigenization of church leadership in Africa, championing the education and ordination of indigenous clergy and the appointment of African bishops.

Returning to England in 1981, Arden served as priest-in-charge at St Margaret’s, Uxbridge (1981–1986), and then as honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of London until 2011. In December 2011, he celebrated 50 years of episcopal ministry at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Arden passed away in Romsey, Hampshire, on July 18, 2014, at the age of 98. He was remembered as “one of the last great pioneering Anglican bishops in Africa” and for his lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and the development of the African Church.

Documents authored by Rt. Rev. Donald Seymour Arden