The Cathedral Chapter are delighted to announce the appointment of Canon Nigel Ashworth, in the new role of Priest Vicar.
Nigel is currently serving as the Canon Pastor at Manchester Cathedral. Nigel previously spent time as Chaplain at what was the Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre in Oxford, before joining St Ann’s Church in Manchester City Centre in 2008, where he served for 14 years. He describes that parish as “one of the busiest, most varied and exciting parishes in the Church of England.” Since 2022, Nigel has been serving at Manchester Cathedral as Canon Pastor and, more recently, as acting Precentor.
As Priest Vicar, Canon Nigel will share in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Cathedral and will have a shared responsibility for the pastoral care and Christian nurture of the Cathedral congregations, employees, volunteers, choristers and their parents, members of the Cathedral Close and visitors to the Cathedral. He will reside in the Close as a House for Duty Priest and will serve for four days each week. The post of Priest Vicar is time limited, initially for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension.
Commenting on the appointment, the Interim Dean of Chichester, the Reverend Canon Simon Holland, said:
"We are so happy to welcome Nigel to Chichester Cathedral as Priest Vicar. He brings vast experience as a wise and warm-hearted pastor across a range of very different ministerial contexts, including at Manchester Cathedral and has already established good relationships with the ministry team at Chichester. I believe that Nigel will be a real blessing to all of the communities that we seek to serve from the Cathedral."
Commenting on his appointment, Nigel said:
"I am delighted to be coming from one Cathedral to another, to join the team at Chichester. Cathedrals are spiritual and cultural landmarks. They offer a unique focus for their local areas and bring diverse people together as worshippers or as visitors. I am looking forward to getting to know Chichester Cathedral, its congregations, volunteers, staff teams, residents in the Cathedral Close and visitors. I have already experienced a very friendly welcome."
Nigel will be licensed by Bishop Martin during Evensong on the 10th March 2024 and it is hoped that members from all of the Cathedral’s different communities will warmly welcome Nigel at this service.