Welcome to the official site for The Right Reverend Matthew Davis Cowden, Bishop of West Virginia. Here you’ll find out a little more about me. Some personal, biographical, some of my favorite links, hobbies, and my trivial pursuits. I’ve had this page since the 1990’s and it’s gone through various iterations. In the early days of nascent website culture, it seemed like everyone was going to have a personal site in the future, as in the way we each have our own pocket cell phones with a personal number as well as a Facebook page or direct way of sharing our lives with some version of the public. A personal site like this one of my own name is as much a hub for contact, further information about me, reading some my materials that usually end up further down a news feed on social media, and pictures. Welcome to my little bit of real estate on the internet. +mdc
"The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters?Our faith gives a clear answer: everyone’s.Safety built on fear is an illusion. True safety comes when we replace fear with compassion, violence with justice, and unchecked power with accountability. That’s the vision our faith calls us to live out—and the promise our country is meant to uphold.In the face of fear, we choose hope."See the link in the comments for the full text of the letter. … See MoreSee Less
One hundred fifty four Bishops of The Episcopal Church released a joint letter on January 31, 2026, in response to recent actions by ICE in Minnesota and bey…
On February 2, Bishop Cowden had the honor of offering the opening prayer at the West Virginia House of Delegates with these words:"Let us pray.Gracious and loving God, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to love our neighbors and to seek the good of all.We give you thanks for this day and for all who serve the people of this state in this place. Grant to those gathered here the wisdom that listens before it speaks, the courage that seeks the common good, and the humility that remembers that all authority is given in trust.Guide our legislators, O Lord, in the work set before us. Shape their decisions with patience and care, that they may be marked by fairness, compassion, and a deep concern for the well-being of every neighbor.We ask your blessing upon those who are most vulnerable: the poor, the sick, the young, and the old, and upon all whose lives are affected by the choices made here today.When the way forward is uncertain, be our guide. When disagreement threatens to divide, draw us back to what unites us. And when fear tempts us toward hardness of heart, renew us in love.Bless the work of this day, O God, that it may serve the cause of peace, the dignity of every person, and the good of this common life. Amen."📸: Perry Bennett, West Virginia Legislature photographer … See MoreSee Less
Over the weekend, the Rev. Don Hill celebrated 55 years of ordination to the priesthood. Congratulations, Fr. Don, and thank you for these many years of dedicated ministry! … See MoreSee Less
This evening's Institution at St. Matthew's, Charleston, has been postponed due to illness. The date of the rescheduled service will be shared once it is set.The Service of Institution has been postponed due to the Rector's illness. A new date will be forthcoming. … See MoreSee Less
