NEW CHANCELLOR FOR SALISBURY CATHEDRAL - Archived

Bishop appoints the Revd Edward Probert

Salisbury Cathedral has announced the appointment by the Bishop of Salisbury of the Revd Edward Probert as Canon Chancellor.

The Revd Edward Probert has been appointed as the new Canon Chancellor at Salisbury Cathedral. He will be formally installed on Palm Sunday (4th April). The appointment, made by the Bishop of Salisbury the Right Revd David Stancliffe, will see Edward Probert become one of the three full-time residentiary Canons at the Cathedral, working alongside the Dean.

Edward (aged 45) is currently Vicar of St John, Belmont in Surrey, a parish on the outskirts of London within the Southwark Diocese. Married to Caroline they have two children aged 11 and 13. Ordained in 1985 he has served as a curate at Christ Church (Esher) and as Vicar of St Andrew's Church in Earlsfield (south London). During his ministry he has also been a part-time chaplain at the Princess Alice Hospice and the Royal Marsden Hospital. He brings a wide ranging experience of different styles of worship including Welsh non-conformism, American Methodism, Afro-Caribbean Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, British Methodism and Baptist! The Canon Chancellor has responsibility for the Ministry of Welcome, for education generally at the Cathedral, and for the library and archives. As Chancellor, Edward Probert will have oversight of the Visitor Services Department which provides facilities for the many tourists to the Cathedral and Close (over 500,000 pa). In addition he will be working with staff at the Cathedral's Education Centre based in Wren Hall and looking to expand the variety of educational activity across the whole age range from primary school students through to adults.

The Revd Edward Probert, looking forward to taking up his new appointment said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my parish ministry and now look forward to the new challenge of working in a cathedral environment. I know Salisbury Cathedral to be a centre of dynamic Christian worship, and the city a place of great historic beauty. I look forward to participating in the life of the Cathedral, the city, the wider community and the parishes within the Diocese".

In welcoming him to the Cathedral, Acting Dean, Canon June Osborne said, "We are delighted that the Bishop has chosen Edward to join the Cathedral team. The fresh insights which he will bring, coming direct from parish life, we believe will help us in taking our message out into the Diocese and in responding to the needs and expectations of the many thousands of people who visit the District, the city and the Cathedral each year".

The Bishop of Salisbury, David Stancliffe added, " Hospitality and teaching are at the very heart of the Church's mission and in Edward the Cathedral and Diocese will have an immensely valuable resource".