Reverend Douglas Torr was born and educated in Johannesburg. He holds a B.A. Honours degree in Church History from Rhodes University, an M.A. from the University of Natal, and is currently working on a doctorate with Unisa. Reverend Torr was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Diocese in Johannesburg in 1990.

He has served the diocese in the following capacities:

Chaplain to St. Joseph's Children's Home

Rector of St. Luke's Bosmont church

Priest in charge of St. Margaret's Noordgesig church

Priest in charge of St. Mary's Cathedral

Rector of St. Mary's, Jeppe

Priest in charge of St. John the Divine in Belgravia

During his terms as a priest for the last 10 years he was also employed part-time as coordinator of Diocesan Social Responsibility. Reverend Torr's other involvements include: "BIG"- Basic Income Grant, Independent Electoral Commission and South African Council of Churches.

Having being a conscientious objector, and having being prosecuted for this stand, he remains committed to working with a wide variety of peace and justice issues.