on Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 10.10 pm by Peter Owen
categorised as Church of England, News
I did not notice any earlier announcement, but Worcester Cathedral has the news today that their Dean, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, will officially retire on Friday 25 August.
Subscribe
18 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Simon Bravery
8 months ago
Odd that the announcement was made so late especially as he gave notice to Her Late Majesty over 11 months ago. Presumably those at the Cathedral knew and the evening in June mentioned in the press release was a sort of farewell event. Perhaps someone just forgot to issue the press release.
Whilst this makes public the final arrangements, his is not the first public announcement of the retirement of the Dean of Worcester, whose impending retirement has been known for some time – both within and well beyond Worcester.
The publicity for the evening in June presupposed that the upcoming retirement was public knowledge:
‘A Very Irreverend Evening with the DeanJoin the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, for an evening of anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from the last 16 years at Worcester Cathedral.
An opportunity to hear the Dean’s tales before his final farewell on 10th September…’
Perry Butler
8 months ago
Southwark, Newcastle and Truro filled. More to come I think?
I don’t think so Philip is a very balanced theologian who will, I know, value what the Cathedral offers. In my experience, superb worship and excellent welcome. Pleae pray for him.
Have you been to Chester recently? There are four large screens, but they are against the pillars, not in the middle. They have gone paperless so hymns (not songs!), readings and responses are all on screen.
They could do a lot worse than appointing Stephen to the substantive role, in due time. I came across him several times on visits when he was an Incumbent in Manchester Diocese – very capable and intelligent, with a lot of common sense. He was one of those passed over for preferment there in favour of far less competent people, and the move to Worcester seems to have been a good one for him.
Judith Maltby
8 months ago
Quite a string of blokes deanery-wise. Just making an observation.
Odd that the announcement was made so late especially as he gave notice to Her Late Majesty over 11 months ago. Presumably those at the Cathedral knew and the evening in June mentioned in the press release was a sort of farewell event. Perhaps someone just forgot to issue the press release.
Whilst this makes public the final arrangements, his is not the first public announcement of the retirement of the Dean of Worcester, whose impending retirement has been known for some time – both within and well beyond Worcester.
The publicity for the evening in June presupposed that the upcoming retirement was public knowledge:
‘A Very Irreverend Evening with the DeanJoin the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, for an evening of anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from the last 16 years at Worcester Cathedral.
An opportunity to hear the Dean’s tales before his final farewell on 10th September…’
Southwark, Newcastle and Truro filled. More to come I think?
Wells, Chelmsford, Chichester, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln.
And soon, Guildford.
Have I missed any?
Durham
https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/articles/philip-plyming-appointed-as-new-dean-of-durham
….and yet another evangelical senior appointment!
Hopefully he won’t install a large screen to enable the congregation to read the songs
I don’t think so Philip is a very balanced theologian who will, I know, value what the Cathedral offers. In my experience, superb worship and excellent welcome. Pleae pray for him.
I now need therapy….or Buddhism.
Have you been to Chester recently? There are four large screens, but they are against the pillars, not in the middle. They have gone paperless so hymns (not songs!), readings and responses are all on screen.
Carlisle recently filled too.
Have they announced the appointment of an interim Dean at Worcester?
Yes. The Vice-Dean of Worcester, Canon Stephen Edwards, has been appointed Interim Dean by the Bishop of Worcester.
They could do a lot worse than appointing Stephen to the substantive role, in due time. I came across him several times on visits when he was an Incumbent in Manchester Diocese – very capable and intelligent, with a lot of common sense. He was one of those passed over for preferment there in favour of far less competent people, and the move to Worcester seems to have been a good one for him.
Quite a string of blokes deanery-wise. Just making an observation.
Fair point, Judith. In so far as I know, white and able bodied also.
And all university graduates too.