John Falconer (bishop)

Styles of
John Falconer, MA
Reference style The Right Reverend
Spoken style My Lord or Bishop

John Falconer (or Falconar) (c.1660–1723) was a Scottish clergyman who served as a minister in the Church of Scotland and before becoming a college bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Early life and family

Born about 1660, he was the son of the Reverend David Falconer and Margaret Braydday.[1][2] He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1679.[1][2] He married to Elizabeth Galloway (1671–1691), daughter of Thomas Galloway, 2nd Lord Dunkeld, and they had two sons: James and Thomas.[1][2]

Ecclesiastical career

He was a chaplain in the family of Wemyss of Wemyss, before becoming the Incumbent of Carnbee from 1683 to 1690.[1][2] He came under a sentence of deprivation from the Privy Council, 8 September 1689, for not reading the Proclamation of the Estates, etc., and by Act of Parliament, 25 April 1690, restoring Presbyterian ministers.[1][2]

He was consecrated a college bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church at Dundee on 28 April 1709 by bishops Rose, Douglas and Sage.[1][2][3] He and other college bishops were consecrated to maintain the Episcopal succession without being committed to a particular Episcopal see. He took part in the consecration of James Gadderar in London in 1712.[1][2] He occupied Glamis parish church in 1716, and was also at Slains parish church with the Reverend William Law.[1][2] In 1720, he took over the administration of the districts north of the River Forth (with the exception of Aberdeenshire), but did not become a territorial bishop as such.[1][2]

He died at Inglismaldie on 6 July 1723, aged c. 63, and was buried at Logie Pert, Angus.[1][2]

Works

He is possibly the author of Cryptomenysis Paterfacta (published in 1685) and wrote a little tract described as "a popular exposition of the various Covenants of God and especially of the sanctions and conditions of the Christian Covenants" which has been preserved in manuscript.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 Bertie, David M. (2000). Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689-2000. Edinburgh: T & T Clark. ISBN 0567087468.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Scott, Hew (1925). Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae. Volume 5 (New ed.). Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. p. 189.
  3. ↑ Skinner, John (1818). Annals of Scottish Episcopacy. Aberbeen: A. Brown & Co. p. 533.