Canon Rector and Speaker's Chaplain

Following the appointment of Canon Tricia Hill as as Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Crown intends to appoint a Canon of Westminster. Subject to a formal decision by the Dean and Chapter, the new Canon will occupy the office of Canon Rector. The appointment process will be run jointly with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons, with the intention that the Canon will also serve as Chaplain to the Speaker.

This unique combination of roles offers the opportunity to provide inspirational ministry in two institutions at the very centre of national life at an exciting time for both. The Abbey is emerging with renewed vigour and confidence from a year in which it staged a State Funeral and a Coronation and welcomed unprecedented numbers of visitors. A key priority for the coming years is to continue to strengthen all elements of its engagement with the public square, and in particular with Parliament. Simultaneously, the House of Commons is about to begin a new Parliament welcoming new and returning MPs to the parliamentary community and tackling a full legislative agenda. Pressure and scrutiny on those in public life is only increasing, and being a legislator and representative for your local community brings with it challenges as well as opportunities.

Together we seek a Canon Rector and Speaker’s Chaplain with exceptional priestly and pastoral skills, deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of public life and the imagination to develop a distinctive ministry building faith at the heart of the nation.

The new Canon will have been for at least ten years a priest of the Church of England or of a Church in communion therewith. This post is subject to an occupational requirement.

Westminster Abbey and the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons seek a Canon Rector and Speaker’s Chaplain with exceptional priestly and pastoral skills, deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of public life and the imagination to develop a distinctive ministry building faith at the heart of the nation.

Application Packs are available from the Westminster Abbey website http://www.westminster-abbey.org/job-vacancies/current-vacancies. Candidates must send in the completed application form to applications@westminster-abbey.org no later than 12 noon on Monday, 8th July 2024.

The two-day interview process will be conducted on 22nd and 23rd July 2024. The successful candidate should be able to take up the appointment on or soon after 1st November 2024.