The Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Stephen Waine, is to become the vicar of the benefice of Piddle Valley, Hilton and Ansty, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, in the Diocese of Salisbury.
Serving in Sussex for eight years, Stephen was appointed as the Dean of Chichester in 2015. Prior to this, he was Archdeacon of Dorset.
The Chapter of Chichester Cathedral said:
“In his role as Dean, Stephen has served and sustained a community rooted in the worship of a living God. Working with colleagues, Stephen led this community through the challenges of the pandemic, steering us on our journey of recovery as we seek to safeguard the Cathedral for generations to come.
Of particular note is his care for the fabric of our church. We are due to complete the final phase of our major roof restoration, and progress on to a new lighting project in order to make our 940-year-old Cathedral more accessible and sustainable.
We thank Stephen, his wife Lizzie and their family, and pray for them as they embark on this new chapter of their lives.”
The Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, said:
“In his time as Dean, Stephen has shown a deep love and understanding of the English cathedral tradition which Chichester exemplifies so outstandingly.
He has seen the Cathedral through challenging and turbulent times. Most recently he led the Cathedral through the Covid pandemic, staying open for worship when others closed, and restoring other activities at a measured pace. The major achievement of making the roof sound is shortly to be accomplished (and has been funded).
Stephen has responded to a call to parochial ministry, the core of the Church of England’s mission, to which he now returns after almost 13 years as Archdeacon and then Dean.
There will be an opportunity in January to thank Stephen and to assure him and Lizzie, his wife, of good wishes for the future.
Meanwhile, we pray for them as they prepare to move and Stephen to begin a new ministry in the rural communities in which they will make their home.”
The Very Reverend Stephen Waine said:
“It has been a privilege to serve as Dean of Chichester. The Cathedral is the praying heart of the Diocese. In leading and developing the Cathedral’s life and witness over the past eight years I have been sustained by the daily offering of worship and music which is vital to the ministry of every Cathedral. I have been fortunate to have the support of so many talented staff who have contributed their expertise and insight as we have invited people to ‘come and see’ the mystery at the heart of the gospel.”
The Dean will take his final service in the Cathedral on Sunday 22nd January 2023, and after a period of study leave, he will start his new role at the beginning of April.
To ensure that the full life of our Cathedral continues, arrangements are in place to support our clergy, staff, and the Cathedral community.
The former Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, will exercise a ministry to the Cathedral community as Acting Dean until Easter 2023. Bishop Graeme, currently based in Bury St Edmunds, will be moving to Chichester in early January.
From the end of April 2023, the Reverend Canon Simon Holland, Vicar of Chichester Saint Paul and Westhampnett Saint Peter since 2012, will take up the post of Interim Dean. Until recently Simon was the College of Canons representative on the Cathedral’s Chapter. Simon’s appointment will enable a sense of continuity and flourishing at the Cathedral until a permanent successor to the Dean can be appointed.