Richardson, David John Leyburn Richardson, The Very Revd David John Leyburn AO OBE (b 1946 - 6 May 2026) D 1970 P 1971 (Brisbane)

BOX 476
Folder of miscellaneous information.

NS 209

Negatives of photo taken by Anglican Media
1999 July

Clergy News 
19 May 2026 
The Very Reverend David John Leyburn Richardson AO OBE CStJ  
The Very Reverend David John Leyburn Richardson AO OBE CStJ died on Wednesday 6 May 2026. 
David was ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Brisbane in December 1970 and priested in December 
1971. He served as Assistant Priest in Maryborough from 1971–73, and in the Parish of Ipswich (1974
75) and was Priest-in-Charge of East Ipswich (1974–75). 
During his studies at Birmingham University 1975–76, David held Permission to Officiate in the 
Diocese of Birmingham. From 1976–79 he was Chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge, while also 
serving as Assistant Priest at Great St Mary’s, The University Church, Cambridge in Ely Diocese. 
Returning to Australia, David served in the Diocese of Adelaide as Chaplain to Postulants (1979–82) 
and Sub-Warden of St Barnabas College (1980–82). He returned to the Diocese of Brisbane, where 
he was Rector of St Lucia (1982–88) and Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of Brisbane (1983
87). In 1988 he moved back to Adelaide, serving as Rector of St Peter’s Cathedral (1988–89), 
Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of Adelaide (1988–99), and subsequently as the first Dean of 
Adelaide (1989–99, his nine predecessors served as Rectors). 
David was appointed Dean of Melbourne in 1999. He oversaw a landmark restoration of St Paul’s 
Cathedral, and served the Diocese until his appointment as Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome 
and as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See in 2008. From 2010–18, he was 
a Provincial Canon of Canterbury Cathedral.  In retirement in Melbourne, David was a valued member 
of the parish of All Saints' Kooyong. 
David’s funeral will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral on 21 May at 2:00pm. The service will be 
livestreamed here. 
We hold in prayer his wife Margie, and his children Emma and Tom, at this time of loss and grief. 
May David rest in peace and rise in glory. 
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus, 
The Most Reverend Dr Ric Thorpe 
Archbishop of Melbourne