THE Anglican Centre in Rome has appointed a new interim director, weeks after the previous director resigned after an allegation of sexual misconduct (News, 4 January).

The new interim director, who will act as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Vatican, will be the Very Revd Dr John Shepherd, a former Dean of St George’s Cathedral, Perth, in Western Australia.

Dr Shepherd has previously worked as a university lecturer, parish priest, and college chaplain in Australia, England, and the United States. He is an expert in sacred music, and a theological commentator.

His predecessor in Rome, Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, resigned last month after he was suspended by the Anglican Centre following an allegation of sexual misconduct was made.

The details of the allegation have not been made public, and were not addressed in the statement by the Centre when announcing the appointment of Dr Shepherd.

Archbishop Ntahoturi, formerly Primate of Burundi, was installed as the Centre’s director in October of last year. He was the first African to take up the post (News, 3 November 2017).

The director liaises between the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, and works with the Anglican Communion and Vatican bodies on joint projects.