Updated 8 pm
press release from St Paul’s Cathedral: Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral announces intention to resign (31 October 2011)
St Paul’s, 31 October 2011 The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, announced his intention to resign from his post this afternoon. He made his decision known to the Chapter and to the Bishop of London last night and has removed himself from Cathedral operations with immediate effect. He intended to submit his resignation as Dean of St Paul’s to HM the Queen today.
In the light of the Dean’s resignation, the Chapter has unanimously voted to request the Bishop of London to assist them in providing an independent voice on the ongoing situation at St Paul’s. The Bishop has had no part to date in the discussions and decisions made by Chapter and it is felt his input is now required…
Archbishop of Canterbury issues statement: Archbishop’s statement on resignation of the Dean of St Paul’s
The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued the following statement on the resignation of the Dean of St Paul’s:
“The announcement today of the resignation of the Dean of St Paul’s, coming as it does in the wake of the resignation of Canon Giles Fraser last week, is very sad news. The events of the last couple of weeks have shown very clearly how decisions made in good faith by good people under unusual pressure can have utterly unforeseen and unwelcome consequences, and the clergy of St Paul’s deserve our understanding in these circumstances.
Graeme Knowles has been a very distinguished Dean of St Paul’s, who has done a great deal to strengthen the pastoral and intellectual life of the Cathedral and its involvement in the life of London. He will be much missed, and I wish him and Susan well in whatever lies ahead.”
The Archbishop also said:
“The urgent larger issues raised by the protesters at St Paul’s remain very much on the table and we need – as a Church and as society as a whole – to work to make sure that they are properly addressed.”
Update
Video of the entire press conference, including Q and A, is now available here.
It is with a very sad heart I read of the rsignation of the Dean of St Pauls. Theyt are all very much in our prayers, and I for one wish to record my gratitude to his ministry, and the welcome he always gave us. I wish the Dean, and his wife Susan every Blessing in the future, and love and prayers to the remaining Chapter.
In the middle of all this, has anyone noticed that Andrew Nunn (Sub-Dean of Southwark) has been appointed Dean of Southwark; announced yesterday in the Cathedral as an appointment by the Bishop of Southwark – I thought Cathedral Deaneries were Downing Street / Crown appointments and should at least be jointly announced as such?
The Archbishop of Canterbury should take a good look at his handlers. Rowan’s hallmark has become that of a “too little, too late” pattern. His silence on so many important issues at various times seems to have become his standard practice. This is not working and I wonder what the Archbishop’s handlers have to do with his slow or silent responses. I suspect a great many lost opportunities, due to perhaps, Rowan’s PR people.
Well, this at least, with Giles Fraser’s resignation, unlike that particular female protester whose faith has been diminished by the brouhaha issuing from those in charge at St Paul’s, has strengthened my faith and enlivened attendance at my local church. Giles Fraser, and by extension, OccupyLSX were mentioned positively in yesterday’s sermon, by our female assistant priest. Unfortunately, our male Rev. was all flippancy and declared ignorance. I wonder whether this kind of dichotomy has been observed elsewhere? I think we should be glad to have been vouchsafed this particular touchstone by those protesting, and it may even give all… Read more »
Peter, on this occasion – and it’s either because Southwark is a parish church Cathedral or because Colin Slee died in office, I’m not sure which – the appointment is the Bishop of Southwark’s to make, not the Crown’s. An appointment panel was established in the diocese and the appointment made by open competition.
Southwark patronage, according the Cathedral website
Our Patron: The Bishop The Cathedral Dean & Chapter alternately
The Deans of the ancient cathedrals are Crown appointments. The Deans of parish church cathedrals, who are legally the incumbent of the parish church are legally filled in the normal way — these latter clergy were until quite recently known as Provosts to mark the distinction. In practice the both types of appointment are made by a panel with job specs, and advertisement, applications, and interviews. In the Crown appointment case the selected name goes to the Abp, thence to the PM who recommends it to the Crown, and then the announcement is made from Downing Street. Otherwise, once the… Read more »