Stuart Currie, Vicar of St Stephen’s Church in Worcester and Barry Gilbert, Rector of St Michael’s Church in Brierley Hill have both been appointed Honorary Canons of Worcester Cathedral in recognition of their work in the diocese. Stuart’s wife Nicola Currie is already an Honorary Canon, making them the first husband and wife canonry team in the Cathedral. 

Honorary canons form a bridge between the diocese and the Cathedral and meet to reflect and advise on the life of the Cathedral. There are a limited number of posts – Lay Canons and clergy outside the diocese hold the position for a five-year period, while clergy from the diocese remain Canons while they serve in the diocese.

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr. John Inge said: “Barry and Stuart have used their very considerable gifts to serve the Church and the community in this Diocese over a long period of time and I am very pleased to be able to recognise this in their appointments as Honorary Canons. They will be excellent ambassadors of the Diocese to the Cathedral and of the Cathedral in the Diocese.”

The Revd Stuart Currie said: “I am delighted to have received the invitation to become an honorary canon of Worcester.  I have had a great affection for the Cathedral ever since my first visit nearly twenty years ago.  At the time I was vicar of St Hugh’s church in Banbury, form where a group of us came on pilgrimage to Worcester.  Our particular interest was to see the tomb of King John.  As King, John had been on the receiving end of some sharp words from the fearless Bishop Hugh, but later John was one of the coffin bearers at Hugh’s funeral.  What impressed us most on our visit, however, was not just the history but the warmth of the welcome we received.  It is a huge privilege and pleasure to have a stall in a place of such historic significance and more importantly of Christian outreach, hospitality and worship.”

The Revd Barry Gilbert said: “It has been a delightful and touching surprise to be invited to become a member of the College of Canons of Worcester Cathedral, and it makes me think of the people of Malvern Link, Bromsgrove, Stourport and now Brierley Hill who have been working partners and friends over a period of nearly 40 years. I was ordained priest in the Cathedral in 1970 and it will be lovely to complete my active ministry as an Honorary Canon. The friendship and support I have enjoyed in the diocese, including the Cathedral staff, have been second to none.  I look forward to learning of the work of the College and to assist in any way I can.”

Honorary Canons are distinct from Residentiary Canons who are on the staff of the Cathedral.

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.