This is a list of the archdeacons of Meirionnydd. The Archdeacon of Meirionydd is the priest in charge of the archdeaconry of Meirionydd, an administrative division of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor. The archdeaconry comprises the five deaneries of Ardudwy, Arwystili, Cyfeiliog/Mawddwy, Llyn/Eifionydd and Ystumaner.[1]
Robert William Townsend (born 1968)[6] was announced on 4 June 2023 as the next Archdeacon of Meirionnydd,[7] starting from his collation on 1 October 2023.[8] After studying at University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), he trained for the ministry at St Michael's College, Llandaff.[6] Townsend was made deacon on 3 July 1993 and ordained priest on 24 June 1995,[9] serving his title posts as assistant curate of Dolgellau (until 1994) and then a Minor Canon of Bangor Cathedral (1994–1996). He was then an incumbent in the same diocese until 2003, when he became Diocesan Schools Officer of the Diocese of St Davids and (at the same time) Priest-in-Charge of Llanilar until 2006; during this time, he was awarded his Master of Arts (MA) by University of Liverpool in 2004. He returned to Bangor diocese in 2006, holding several parochial and diocesan posts simulataneously since then: including Diocesan Director of Education, Area Dean, Communications Officer since 2012, Canon of Bangor Cathedral since 2012, and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Seiriol since 2019.[6]
