Next Dean of Worcester announced
THE next Dean of Worcester is to be Canon Stephen Edwards, who has been Interim Dean since September, after the Very Revd Peter Atkinson retired. Canon Edwards trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge, was ordained deacon in 1996, and served his title in Colwyn Bay, in St Asaph diocese. He served as Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church, Brynymaen, in the same diocese, from 1999 to 2002, when he moved Manchester diocese. He served two incumbencies and was also Area Dean of Withington from 2013 until 2019. He became a Residentiary Canon of Worcester Cathedral in 2019. He will be installed as Dean on 15 September.
Poll: most oppose deselection of Campanale
AN OPINION poll of 2001 UK adults, conducted last week by Whitestone Insight, found that 75 per cent of respondents opposed the deselection of David Campanale as a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate (News, 14 June). Mr Campanale, an Anglican layman, is suing the party under the Equality Act, claiming that he has been subject to discrimination because of his Christian beliefs. The chief executive of Whitestone Insight, Andrew Hawkins, said: “The findings underscore the public’s unease with the perceived marginalisation of Christians in politics, and highlight the need for political parties to foster a more inclusive environment for individuals of all faiths and beliefs.” The poll also found that more than half the Liberal Democrat respondents — 57 per cent — believed that Mr Campanale should not have been deselected.
Henry Smith Charity funds five-year pastoral programme
THE Henry Smith Charity has awarded £1.9 million to St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing to support a five-year evaluated programme of “pastoral supervision and reflective practice” for clergy, it was announced last week. The plan is to support 830 clergy through group- and one-to-one sessions in the programme, and to employ suitably qualified people to train as diocesan supervisors. During the programme, evidence will be collated and evaluated by Sharon Jagger, of York St John University, and Alex Fry, of Bournemouth University, “to build the case for cultural and organisational change”. The funding is in addition to the £750,000 that the Henry Smith Charity spends each year on clergy grants. The programme manager at St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing, Jacqueline Ede, said: “Five years provides a genuine opportunity to make a lasting difference for the clergy of the present and the future.”
Diocese of NewcastleFaith and hope: the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, opens the Salt and Light Festival, held near Hadrian’s Wall at the weekend. The event, organised by the dioceses of Newcastle, Carlisle, Durham, Leeds, and York explored leadership and opportunities for spiritual growth in the rural north, including economic challenges
Cathedral marks Refugee Week with award
NORWICH CATHEDRAL has been awarded Cathedral of Sanctuary status for its work in welcoming and resettling refugees in Norwich, it was announced over the weekend, before the start of national Refugee Week on Monday. The awards are organised by the Cathedral of Sanctuary movement in partnership with English+. The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “Norwich has a long history of welcoming the stranger. . . The Cathedral’s exhibition for Refugee Week celebrates the rich contribution of those from around the world who have made this city their home.”
Concerns over Cathedral Christmas market
AN APPLICATION by Manchester Cathedral to hold a one-day Christmas market on Cathedral Street, in November, has been criticised by Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council, the BBC reports. Police have raised concerns over how “public safety will be managed and the exact area where the market will be located”. The Council’s licensing team have said that there was no plan for how numbers would be monitored. A licensing sub-committee meeting was to consider an application for a Temporary Event Notice this week. A cathedral spokesperson said: “We would like to create a family-friendly Christmas village around the Cathedral, and it is our intention to work with the city council and the wider area to stage something that enhances the Christmas market experience in our city. It will also contribute towards the annual £1.4-million running costs of our Grade I listed Cathedral.” The one-day event is not connected to the Manchester Christmas Markets, which are organised by the council.
Correction: the Revd Marisa Cockfield is a former officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, not a military chaplain as we incorrectly stated in our D-Day news story (News, 14 June). We apologise for the error.