A NEW residency Canon has been installed at Worcester Cathedral.

The Revd Stephen Edwards had a special Evensong service held to welcome him.

Revd Stephen Edwards said: “The service was a joyous occasion through which I felt blessed by the warmth and generosity of welcome and the prayerful support of all those who attended. I am very excited about this new role and I am looking forward to meeting many of the wonderful and creative projects and organisations to being part of the Cathedral community.”

Canons are appointed by the Queen and are priests with responsibility for the spiritual life of the Cathedral, as well as having day-to-day liturgical, pastoral and preaching duties.

As members of the Cathedral Chapter, they share in the governance of the Cathedral and are trustees of the cathedral almshouse, St Oswald’s Hospital.

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The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, said: “We were delighted to welcome Stephen Edwards. He comes to us from being the parish priest of Wythenshawe in Manchester, one of the largest housing estates in the country. He will have a special role in promoting the work of the Cathedral in the city and the county.”

Helen Dimmock, ecclesiastical secretary to the Crown, presented Reverend Evans to Bishop John on behalf of the Queen at the service on Sunday. Also present was the mayor of Worcester, Allah Ditta, and other dignitaries.

Reverend Evans was ordained in 1996, serving first in the Church in Wales.

His interests outside of church life include architecture, ales and he loves dogs.