Diocese of Chichester

The Very Reverend Stephen Waine has accepted the post of incumbent of a group of rural parishes in West Dorset, in the diocese of Salisbury. He will move early next year.

In the 8 years of his tenure as Dean, Stephen has seen the Cathedral through the Covid pandemic, staying open for worship when others closed, and restoring other activities at a measured pace.

He has shown a deep love and understanding of the English cathedral tradition which Chichester exemplifies so outstandingly. An enduring legacy will be his commitment to the funding and completion of two major projects:re-leading the roof of the cathedral and installing a new lighting scheme.

Stephen has now decided that this is the right time to follow a call toreturn to parochial ministry, the core of the Church of England’s mission. He leaves with thanks and good wishes from the people he has served during his ministry as Dean of Chichester.

Stephen said today: “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 8 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 farewell to Stephen and Lizzie will take place in the Cathedral at the Choral Eucharist on Sunday 22 January 2023. He will then take a period of study leave before his resignation takes legal effect on 31 March 2023, prior to starting his new parish post in Salisbury diocese at the beginning of April.

To ensure that thefull life of the Cathedral continues, arrangements are in place to support the Canons, staff, & Cathedral congregations through what is likely to be an extended vacancy.

During this period, 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, since 2012 Vicar of Chichester Saint Paul and Westhampnett Saint Peter, will take up the post of Interim Dean. Until recently he was the College of Canons representative on the Cathedral 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. He will remain in post for the duration of the vacancy.