The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Dr Edward Dowler, Archdeacon of Hastings and Priest-in-Charge of St John the Evangelist, Crowborough, both in the Diocese of Chichester, to be appointed as Dean of Chichester, in succession to The Very Reverend Stephen Waine, following his resignation.
Edward was educated at Christ Church Oxford and trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, subsequently completing a doctorate at Durham University. He was ordained deacon in 1994, and served his title at Christ Church, Southgate, in the Diocese of London.
From 1997, he served as Assistant Curate of St Mary’s, Somers Town, London and in 2001 he was appointed Tutor and Director of Pastoral Theology, at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, where he served as Vice Principal from 2003 to 2009.
In 2010, he was appointed Vicar of St John and St Luke, Clay Hill, London, and from 2013, he additionally served as the Continuing Ministerial Education Officer for the Edmonton Episcopal Area and Chair of Governors at Bishop Stopford’s School, Enfield.
In 2016, he took up his current role as Archdeacon of Hastings in the Diocese of Chichester and, since 2020, has also been serving as Priest-in-Charge of St John the Evangelist, Crowborough. He is currently Chaplain to the High Sheriff of East Sussex.
Edward is married to Anna, a journalist for The Guardian, and they have two children at university.
Members of the Cathedral’s Chapter wish to congratulate Edward on his appointment and invite you to join them in welcoming and praying for him, his wife Anna and their family as they embark on this new journey.
The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, today welcomed the Downing Street announcement that the Venerable Dr Edward Dowler is to be the new Dean of Chichester. Dr Warner said: “Edward Dowler’s appointment as Dean of Chichester brings to the cathedral the experience of parochial life and mission in rural, urban and coastal towns in the East of the diocese. This will forge a link it has not always been easy to maintain.
But Edward brings other gifts and experience that will strengthen the able, imaginative and energetic Chapter and their colleagues in Chichester. His priestly ministry is primarily defined by pastoral care and thoughtful teaching that makes accessible the whole span of the Christian tradition. As an archdeacon he has become familiar with ecclesiastical law and the hard lessons of financial planning. He appreciates art and music and, importantly, has a probing sense of humour. I look forward to welcoming Edward, his wife Anna and their two children to life in Chichester.”