A NEW Dean of Worcester has moved a step closer with confirmation of who will sit on the appointments panel.
The panel for appointing each Dean is always chaired by a lay member of a church in the Diocese of Worcester. Those given the honour have wide and senior experience in public life.
Lord (Anthony) Hughes of Ombersley, a retired Supreme Court judge, will chair the panel for Worcester.
The other members are the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Rev Dr John inge and the Very Revd David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral.
Revd Canon David Nichol will serve as the member of the Cathedral’s College of Canons representative.
Harriet Chimani will sit on the panel as a lay member of the Bishop’s Council. In addition Cathedral Chapter, Canon Dr David Bryer will also be part of the process.
The Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary Helen Dimmock, MBE, representing the Crown, and the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments David Wicksteed will be on the panel but will not vote.
Members will meet in late January to agree a role specification. Consultations will be held with representatives of the wider Cathedral community and the Diocese before the meeting.
The Cathedral Chapter and the Bishop also each produce a document outlining the challenges facing the cathedral. It also spells out the qualities they would like to see in the next Dean.
The post of Dean of Worcester will then be advertised and the panel meet to shortlist candidates in mid-March.
Interviews will be held in early May and an appointment announced as soon as possible after that.
Bishop John said:
“Please continue to pray for the process of appointing a new Dean of Worcester and for all the members of the panel as we meet.
“This is a crucial appointment in the Diocese and it is very important to know that people in all of our churches are praying.”
