The appointment of six new honorary canons was announced in Sheffield Cathedral on Sunday morning.
Honorary canons (who can be lay or ordained) are appointed by the Bishop, having consulted the acting Dean, in recognition of distinguished service to the diocese. Whilst they have no direct part in the governance of the Cathedral, they promote its mission and ministry throughout the diocese.
The new canons are:
The Revd Amanda Barraclough, rector of St Mary, Sprotbrough and Diocesan Dean of Women’s Ministry
The Revd Philip Batchford, vicar of Rotherham Minster and priest in charge of St Paul, Masbrough and Area Dean of Rotherham
The Revd Jan Foden, rector of St Leonard and St Mary, Armthorpe and Oversight Minister in the Beakon Mission Area
The Revd Andrew Howard, vicar of St Wilfrid, Cantley and co-Area Dean of Doncaster
The Revd Rick Stordy, vicar of St John the Baptist, Chapeltown
Mr Ian Walker, chair of the Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance
It is necessary for honorary canons to be installed in the Cathedral and it is only after the installation that the honorary title of ‘Canon’ is taken. Since the installation cannot be done remotely, it must wait until the current restrictions are eased. A date for that service will of course be announced in due course.
Commenting on the appointments, Canon Geoffrey Harbord, the acting Dean said:
“I very much welcome the appointment of six new members of the College of Canons. They possess a diverse range of skills and experience and will be excellent ambassadors for the Cathedral across the Diocese.”
Bishop Pete said:
“Our Diocese is blessed with a wealth of gifted and dedicated ministers of the Gospel, lay and ordained, and each of these six new canons illustrates that richness. It has been a joy for me to invite each of them to become an honorary canon, in recognition of the valuable contribution each has made, and continues to make, to the life of our Diocese, and I look forward very much to their installation as soon as that becomes possible.”