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New Honorary Canon Installed

Canon Paul Newman was installed as an Honorary Canon on the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception.

On Thursday 7^th December, the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Fr Paul Newman was installed as an Honorary Member of the Cathedral Chapter. The Bishop presided over Sung Vespers, with a good number of the Chapter present and the Cathedral Choir Choir singing. Amongst those gathered in the congregation were Canon Paul’s family, friends and parishioners from his current and former parishes, present to celebrate with him.

In his brief sermon, the Bishop commented on how it was fitting that Canon Paul should be installed as an Honorary Canon on the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception, as Our Lady Immaculate, along with St Hugh of Lincoln, is a co-patroness of the Diocese. He spoke of Our Lady as being a very powerful model of Christian discipleship, evidenced by the way in which she did not hesitate in her response at The Annunciation. He said, ‘Mary did not hesitate…she simply looked for clarification, how can this be? She hadn't time to think everything through, what the consequences of her decision would be. She did what she could do in such circumstances- she made an act of faith and trust in God and said yes to what He asked of her.’

Bishop Patrick also outlined the primary tasks of the Cathedral Chapter are to pray for the work and ministry of the Cathedral as the Mother Church of the Diocese, to assist in the liturgies of the Cathedral and to provide wise counsel to the Bishop on matters of governance of the Diocese. As such, he said, those nominated to the Cathedral Chapter have a wealth of rich pastoral experience and ministry. The Bishop thanked Canon Michael Moore, who stepped down from his role as an Honorary Canon in September, for the service he had given. He then sought the intercession of Our Blessed Lady Immaculately Conceived and St Hugh of Lincoln to pray for Canon Paul, the Cathedral Chapter, the Cathedral and for all the parishes, chaplaincies, schools, religious houses and organisations in the Diocese of Nottingham.

Following Canon Paul’s installation, those gathered enjoyed refreshments in the Cathedral Hall, courtesy of the Friends of Nottingham Cathedral.

The service can be found under the 'recordings' tab on our livestream page.