New dean of Chichester announced by Downing Street

A NEW dean of Chichester was announced at 10 Downing Street at 10am today (Wednesday, November 11).
Stephen Waine is the new Dean of Chichester Cathedral, picture by Jim HoldenStephen Waine is the new Dean of Chichester Cathedral, picture by Jim Holden
Stephen Waine is the new Dean of Chichester Cathedral, picture by Jim Holden

The Venerable Stephen Waine, archdeacon of Dorset, has been chosen for the role following the retirement of the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling in February.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as dean of Chichester and will be moving to Chichester in the new year with a sense of excitement and huge privilege.

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“I am looking forward to getting to know the congregation, staff and volunteers at the cathedral and all the people throughout the wider diocese for whom the cathedral is their mother church.

“Chichester Cathedral is an inspiring blend of ancient and modern, a place of worship and also a place of culture and community.

“I look forward to becoming part of its life and furthering the many ways in which it seeks to serve the people of Sussex.”

Warm welcome

The announcement was warmly welcomed by those at Chichester Cathedral.

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“The appointment of Stephen Waine as Dean of Chichester is very good news indeed,” said the bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner.

“Stephen’s range of priestly ministry embraces cathedral, parish and diocesan responsibilities.

“This rich blend of experience has exactly the texture of use and availability that should mark our cathedral as a centre for the worship of God and witness to Jesus Christ, serving the whole diocese and people of Sussex.

“Stephen joins a committed and energetic chapter at a moment of creative expansion in their future planning. Together they will make a great team.”

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Speaking on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter, acting dean canon Tim Schofield, said: “We are delighted to hear this news.

“We look forward to welcoming Stephen to Chichester and working with him in the months and years to come.”

Interests

The new dean will formally take up his post on February 14, 2015, when he is installed as dean of Chichester in the cathedral.

Stephen Waine studied economic and social studies at the University of East Anglia before training for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge.

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After ordination he served as assistant curate of St Peter’s Church Wolverhampton for four years and then, in 1988, became minor canon and succentor of St Paul’s Cathedral.

In 1993, he moved to St Edward’s Romford in the Diocese of Chelmsford and commenced his current post as the archdeacon of Dorset in 2010.

Stephen has two children – Will, 22, and Lucy, 20.

His interests include music, both listening and singing; sailing; watching sport, particularly football and cricket; playing golf badly and entertaining friends.

Diocese

Chichester Cathedral is the mother church of the diocese of Chichester, which covers much of East and West Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove, stretching for nearly 100 miles along the south coast of England.

The cathedral is more than 900 years old and is visited by some 360,000 people each year.

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