Four new canons join Salisbury Cathedral’s College of Canons

During the Evensong service on Monday 23 September, two non-residentiary canons and two lay canons were installed into the College of Canons at Salisbury Cathedral, by invitation of the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury.

The College of Canons is part of the Cathedral’s extended family and meets twice a year to provide feedback on policy decisions made by Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body, and on Cathedral activities.

The Revd Kate McFarlane will take her place in the Shaftesbury stall in the Cathedral Quire. Kate is the Rector of the Benefice of St Bartholomew at Semley, near Shaftesbury. Before ordination she was an ecumenical chaplain for St Bede’s Inter-church school in Cambridge, a Justice and Peace Fieldworker for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood and a director of youth retreats at a residential centre.

The Revd Paul Brooks, taking up his place in the Stratford stall, is Minister of St Paul’s in Jersey. Paul studied Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University and worked for BOC Cryoplants before training for ordination. He became curate of St John’s Long Eaton, before being appointed Minister of St Paul’s Church, St Helier, Jersey. In 2010 he was invited to become Vice Dean of Jersey.

Taking up the Alton Borealis stall as a lay canon, Alan Smith is First Church Estates Commissioner for the Church of England. Prior to this role, he has had a senior executive career in finance at HSBC, with experience in climate change, strategy, investment banking, risk management and governance. Earlier this year Alan was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by City, University of London for his services to the banking sector, the environment and social inclusion.

Sue de Candole will be taking her place in the Amesbury stall. Sue has been Diocesan Registrar since 2015. She has been a partner at Batt Broadbent Solicitors since 2000. She and her Registry team give advice to the Bishop and Senior staff, clergy and laity in the Diocese about a range of legal issues, including safeguarding, trust, charity and parish administration issues.

The Dean of Salisbury, The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Kate and Paul as non-residentiary canons and Alan and Sue as lay canons at the Cathedral. I am looking forward to working with them as they bring a varied range of skills to the College from across the Diocese and beyond.”

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Stephen Lake, said:

“I am delighted that Kate, Paul, Alan and Sue have accepted the invitation to join the Cathedral’s College of Canons. It is particularly pleasing to welcome Paul from his parish on Jersey, bringing a perspective from the wider Diocese and Alan with a national church involvement. Their installation will ensure that the views of the Diocese continue to be heard by the Cathedral”

Photo by Finnbarr Webster