Three vicars from Brighton and Hove are to become canons of Chichester Cathedral.
The appointments were announced by Martin Warner, the Bishop of Chichester, yesterday (Monday 10 August).
The three new canons are
- The Reverend Alison Bowman, vicar of St John the Evangelist, Preston, Brighton, and assistant rural dean of Brighton. She is also an assistant diocesan director of ordinands, a member of the diocesan synod and surrogate for marriages.
- The Reverend Archie Coates, vicar of St Peter’s, Brighton, a church plant from Holy Trinity Brompton, in London. St Peter’s has itself “planted” within the diocese, at St Cuthman’s, Whitehawk, at the Sussex University Campus, in Falmer, and at Holy Trinity Hastings.
- The Reverend Phil Moon, vicar of Bishop Hannington, Hove, since 2004.
They will be joined by three more colleagues from other parts of the Diocese of Chichester which is part of the Church of England.
The title “canon” is usually offered to a priest or lay person in recognition of particular service to the diocese or wider church.
With these appointments, Bishop Martin has recognised the contribution that each has made to the life of the diocese. The award is marked by a special service at Chichester Cathedral.
Each of the new canons will be designated a “stall” – or seat – in Chichester Cathedral and they will become members of the Greater Chapter of Chichester Cathedral which sometimes meets with the residentiary canons who work in the cathedral every day.
Dr Warner said: “I am delighted to welcome those announced today as Canons of Chichester Cathedral.
“Each of them has made a distinctive contribution to the life and work of the diocese in a variety of ways and I hope that the wider diocese will pray for them as we welcome them to this new aspect of their ministry.”
The installations will take place at the cathedral during evensong on Saturday 19 September at 5.30pm and at 3.30pm on Sunday 11 October.
Members of their current churches will join their families and friends at the celebration which will be led by the Bishop.
After a hustings meeting at his church during the General Election, I had a conversation with Phil Moon about the great virtue of fountain pens.