Episcopal Vicar for the South-East Area: Archdiocese of Southwark

Canon Victor Darlington is the Episcopal Vicar for the South-East Area of the Archdiocese of Southwark

Following the retirement of Bishop Patrick Lynch in December 2020, Archbishop John Wilson announced the appointment of Canon Victor Darlington as Episcopal Vicar for the South-East Pastoral Area on 8th April 2022.

Canon Victor Darlington

Canon Victor Darlington joined the Archdiocese of Southwark in 2006 and served as Assistant Priest at English Martyrs Church in Strood until 2011, when he was appointed Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church in Camberwell. For over a decade, Canon Victor has faithfully served the parish of Camberwell and its local community. In 2019, he was delighted to be appointed Dean of Camberwell—a responsibility that will conclude in June 2022.

In 2021, Canon Victor was also appointed Episcopal Vicar of the Commission for Promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion in the Archdiocese, and as one of the presiding Deans of the South-East area.

Born in Ibadan, Western Nigeria, on 1st April, Canon Victor is the third of six children in a Catholic family from Ubiaja, Edo State, Southern Nigeria. His parents nurtured him in the faith, and he felt called to the priesthood while still a young boy attending the Mission primary school of Saint Benedict's, Ubiaja.

Canon Victor went on to attend Saint John Bosco's College, and upon graduation began his seminary formation for the priesthood at Saints Peter and Paul Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan. He was ordained a priest on 8th September 1990. While serving in Edo State, he held a number of appointments, ranging from being the Archbishop's Private Secretary to serving as Parish Priest in several urban and city parishes. He was also a formator at a major seminary.

Canon Victor holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan, and a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology from the Urban University, Rome. He later obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), Rome, and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome. He is fluent in English, Italian, Esan, Bini, and Yoruba.

From 2008 to 2021, he was a part-time lecturer at St John's Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford, and he currently lectures for the Diaconate Formation Programme for England and Wales. As a Biblical Scholar, he regularly gives talks around the country and internationally on the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

For many years, Canon Victor has worked to tackle the scourge of knife crime on the streets of London. He has championed a range of community initiatives to support victims and prevent young people—especially those from deprived backgrounds—from being involved in gangs and violence. He has also led various parish-based and community projects aimed at de-escalating racial tensions and promoting diversity and equality through the lens of the Gospel.

Canon Victor enjoys long walks and spending time with friends. He also loves listening to a variety of music genres, especially Afrobeat and classical music.