Three new Deans

We welcomed not one, not two, but three new deans this September. And a dog.

A new dean at Chichester, Lincoln and Worcester.

New Dean at Chichester Cathedral

The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler was installed as Dean of Chichester on Saturday in an event attended by the community, representatives from across the Diocese of Chichester, as well as local dignitaries.

Edward said:

“I am deeply honoured to be installed as Dean of Chichester and feel truly welcomed by the community and all those present today. Chichester Cathedral holds a special place in the life of the Diocese and the county, and I am excited to be part of its continued mission.

“As we approach the Cathedral’s 950th anniversary in 2025, I look forward to working together to celebrate this remarkable milestone, while ensuring that the Cathedral remains a flourishing place of Christian worship, culture, and outreach for future generations.”

The Bishop of Chichester, the Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner presided over the service and said:

“Edward’s arrival brings to the Cathedral valuable experience from parochial life in rural, urban, and coastal towns in the East of the Diocese, strengthening a connection that has sometimes been difficult to maintain.

“He also brings gifts in pastoral care, thoughtful teaching, ecclesiastical law, and financial planning which will enrich the dynamic chapter in Chichester. With a deep appreciation for art, music, and a probing sense of humour, I warmly welcome Edward, his wife Anna, and their two children to Chichester.”

Edward was educated at Christ Church Oxford and trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, subsequently completing a doctorate at Durham University. He was ordained deacon in 1994, and served his title at Christ Church, Southgate, in the Diocese of London. In 2016 Edward was appointed Archdeacon of Hastings and since 2020, served as Priest-in-Charge of St John the Evangelist, Crowborough. He was also the Chaplain to the High Sheriff of East Sussex.

New Dean at Lincoln Cathedral.

The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones was installed as the 85th Dean of Lincoln in Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday.

Simon served as Interim Dean between March and December 2023, and returns to the city from Merton College, Oxford where he has served as Chaplain and Fellow since 2002. As well as having responsibility for the day-to-day life of the Chapel, Simon was involved in other aspects of the College’s life, including establishing and leading its welfare team.

The music at the service was sung by the choirs of Lincoln Cathedral and Merton College, Oxford, and included a motet by William Byrd, who was Organist and Master of the Choristers of Lincoln Cathedral from 1563-1572 and a new piece by Gabriel Jackson, written in celebration of Simon’s twenty-two years as Chaplain of Merton.

Speaking ahead of his installation, Simon said,

“It’s a great privilege and joy to be returning to Lincoln as Dean. My time here last year was hugely formative. During those nine months I grew to love this wonderful city, county and, not least, the Cathedral.

“This massive medieval building is a great landmark, but it’s also a beacon of hope, and a sign of God’s presence in the world. As Dean, my task is to open our doors as widely as possible, to encourage more and more people to see Lincoln Cathedral as their cathedral, knowing that whatever their reason for coming here, they are always welcome.”

The Right Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, said that he was delighted to be welcoming Simon to Lincoln as the next Dean.

“Simon made a wonderful contribution to the ministry and witness of the Cathedral during his tenure as Interim Dean. Now we are looking forward to a new chapter in the Cathedral’s life under Simon’s wise leadership and gentle guidance.”

Simon has moved to Lincoln with his partner, Canon Darren McFarland, who served as Vicar of St Andrew’s, Headington, Oxford, from 2011 until this year, and will become Interim Priest of St Mary and St Nicolas, Spalding on 1 October.

New Dean Installed at Worcester.

The new Dean of Worcester was officially Installed at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday.

“To visit a cathedral is to visit an architectural gem which holds safe the hopes and dreams, sorrows, cries, and love of unnumbered generations.”

New Dean of Worcester, the Very Revd Canon Dr Stephen Edwards.

The Very Revd Canon Dr Stephen Edwards takes his place as the 47th Dean of Worcester following the retirement of the Very Revd Peter Atkinson last September.

Stephen joined Worcester Cathedral as a Residentiary Canon in September 2019 and has had responsibility for promoting the Cathedral’s mission in the Diocese and local community, as well as the pastoral care and spiritual nurture of the Cathedral community.

As Interim Dean, he has led the Cathedral through the vacancy and as Dean he will continue to play a key role in both the Cathedral and the Diocese.

Stephen said:

“As dean the pastoral care of the cathedral community is a paramount priority, one which can be easily lost in the breadth of responsibilities and competing demands.

“Wanting to be a vicar from an early age, I have always loved church buildings and cathedrals especially. Cathedrals often have the advantage of having many chapels and spaces, paths to encourage meandering and exploration, guides and signs and memorials and artefacts which throw as many questions in the air as they do provide answers.

“To visit a cathedral is to visit an architectural gem which holds safe the hopes and dreams, sorrows, cries, and love of unnumbered generations.

“In the past year this cathedral, like many others, has been host to a wide selection of concerts and events. Abba by candlelight and a variety of pop, rock, and dance concerts have taken their place alongside the Three Choirs, the Worcester Festival Choral Society, and an excellent programme of classical and church music. What should and should not take place in a consecrated space, and what ought and ought not to be a driving force in decision making has been rigorously questioned and challenged. In doing so, this whole area has, I believe, been beautifully opened up so that we fill these glorious spaces with people experiencing something different.

“Exploring the intersection of contemporary values with traditional spaces is nothing new for the church; proclaiming the gospel afresh in every generation requires ingenuity and an ability to see potential in new adventures. And yes in a worrying financial climate, money matters but opening up the cathedral is part of our evangelism and that means opening up to new things: concerts and silent discos, light shows and, of course, as we did last year, dogs.

“To quote the Association of English Cathedrals, upon my appointment “Architecture, ale and a love of dogs! He’s our kind of Dean.” As a short description of my character, it says enough if not all.

“If I must be drawn on my vision for the Cathedral during the time of my decanal years, I want not to be specific but to pray that they will be shaped by the character of architecture, ale, and a love of dogs.

“I long for others to experience the thrill and the awe, the safety as well as the gentle provocation which this tent of faith holds so dearly for the city and region. Our learning team have an aim of every child in the county visiting the Cathedral during their school career, and I would hope to extend that goal to every person in this city (and even beyond) stepping foot inside this holy place.

“The image of hospitality, a conversation over a good ale, friendship, relational openness is one which speaks of the love of Jesus Christ. The rich variety of uses of this building often compete for attention and time but we are first and foremost and always a church – a place of prayer and worship. Just as this shapes our mission and ministry, so it must also shape our learning, our events, concerts, exhibitions, staff teams, volunteers – all that we do comes from our love for Jesus Christ and a desire to see his Kingdom grow.

“And finally, a love of dogs: I shouldn’t need to unpack this one as I am sure even the extreme cat lovers understand the perfection of dogs and their love and joy, but there is a gospel reading throwaway line I always feel needs to be challenged: Do not give what is holy to dogs. What if we do give what is holy to dogs? They enjoy whatever it is by simply being themselves. Holiness is not a fragile glass or an untouchable artefact in a museum. It is a strong and strengthening presence of the divine, it is – like God from whom all things holy come – all powerful, almighty, and ours for our use. Let us dare, let us dream to dare, let us radically offer welcome and love to all, blurring the artificial line between sacred and secular. Let our ministry, our vision, our life be directed by the words of Christ: ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.’

“Thanks be to God.”

Stephen was ordained in 1996, serving first in the Church in Wales and then in the Diocese of Manchester, where he was Rector of the inner-city parish of St Agnes’, Longsight and then Team Rector of Wythenshawe.

Stephen was also the Bishop of Manchester’s adviser for liturgy and worship as well as the co-ordinator of the Manchester Estate Ministry Network. As a Residentiary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, Stephen has also been involved in the Cathedral and diocesan Eco groups and the diocesan Racial Justice Forum.

He is the independent chair of the Worcester Cares forum for homelessness and vulnerable people.