New Honorary Canons

Honorary canonries are awarded to clergy in recognition of dedicated service to the Diocese. Honorary Canons are granted a stall in the Cathedral Quire and take part in the life of the Cathedral through membership of the College of Canons. The new Honorary Canons are Michael Joseph Bailey, Paul David Butler, Alun James Ford, Nilanka Keith Gunasekera, Melanie Louise Harrington-Haynes, lan Neil Luke-Macauley, Jonathan Edward Gordon Macy, Tracy Margaret Marlow, Elizabeth Ann Newman, Stanley Njoka, Gillian O’Neill, John Anthony Pritchard and Joshua Barnabas Rey.  You can find the order of service here.

“Be diligent so to take your part with your brothers and sisters of the College of Canons in the Government of this holy place, that here the word of God may be faithfully preached and the sacraments duly administered; and in all things, so uphold the honour and dignity of our Cathedral and Collegiate Church that it may be a true Mother to the Churches of our Bishopric.”

The Revd Michael Bailey, Vicar, St Stephen with St Mark, Lewisham & Area Dean, East Lewisham

“This unexpected honorary canonry brings me great joy. I believe in building bridges and celebrating our faith in a joyful and collaborative way. The Diocese of Southwark feels like a family of different traditions working together to serve God’s people and I am proud to be a part of an overwhelmingly inclusive and outward-focused Church, creating space for difference while celebrating our diversity.”

The Revd Paul Butler, Rector, St Paul, Deptford

“I was deeply touched and surprised to receive Bishop Christopher’s invitation, and I humbly accept the appointment in thanksgiving for being able to play my small part in the Missio Dei in the communities in which I have been privileged to serve as a priest. I celebrated thirty years of parish ministry in the Diocese of Southwark a few days ago, ten years at S. Dunstan, Bellingham, seven of which serving as Area Dean of East Lewisham, and now well into my twentieth year here at S. Paul’s, Deptford. I’m a feet on the ground kind of parish priest and theologian, with a heart for the poor, the marginal and the outsider, seeking the kingdom of God and its justice, rooted in the practices of the daily Office and Mass, part of the sacramental socialist tendency within anglo-catholicism, spiced with Franciscan and liberationist traditions. I have always had a strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-fascism. I will try to bring my experience and commitment to this new appointment as an Honorary Canon of Southwark. Pax et bonum.”

The Revd Dr Alun Ford, Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark

“It is a privilege to be made an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral. Since starting as Bishop Christopher’s Chaplain in 2020, I have enjoyed presiding at the Cathedral for the weekday Eucharists, and it has been a special and prayerful place for me amid the busyness of looking after the Bishop’s office. Of course, the office only runs well because we have a great team – two of whom are in the photo with the Bishop! – and I am very grateful to them for all they do quietly and with such care for the Bishop.”

The Revd Kit Gunasekera, Vicar, St James, Clapham & Area Dean, Lambeth South

“I am so honoured to be made an honorary Canon, its a completely unexpected gift, and I look forward to helping further strengthen ties between our wonderful Diocese and equally wonderful Cathedral!”

The Revd Dr Melanie Harrington-Haynes, Vicar, St Philip & All Saints with St Luke, Kew, Diocesan Vocations Adviser & Adviser for Women’s Ministry, Kingston Episcopal Area

“It was a wonderful and unexpected honour to be invited by Bishop Christopher to become an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral. I had to read his letter of invitation several times and call my husband before it sank in! The Cathedral has been an important part of my life and ministry since I arrived in this Diocese almost five years ago. From Chrism masses and ordinations, to celebrating 30 years of women’s ordination to the priesthood, for me it has always been a place of profound connection – to God and to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am overjoyed to be associated, as Honorary Canon, with the good work this Cathedral is doing to live out the love of God in our diocese and beyond. To have the opportunity to act as an ambassador and witness to that work will be a huge privilege and delight.”

The Revd Ian Luke-Macauley, Vicar, St Peter, Battersea & Area Dean, Battersea

“I am deeply humbled to receive this appointment as honorary canon and to have the opportunity to continue to serve in this amazingly diverse diocese of Southwark, where I have served in various capacities over the past 32 years. This is a wonderful opportunity to be an ambassador for the second time; first as an ambassador for Christ and now as an ambassador for the Cathedral and I look forward to working with the college of canons.”

The Revd Dr Jonathan Macy, Team Vicar, Parish of Thamesmead & Diocesan Disability Adviser

“It was a wonderful time to be with colleagues, family and friends, at the Installation at Southwark Cathedral. To be asked to be an Honorary Canon was more than unexpected, but I am thankful to everyone who was involved, especially Church of The Cross, who have been so important on my journey.”

The Revd Tracy Marlow, Vicar, St Peter & Bishop Andrewes Church, St Helier

“I am truly humbled to have been appointed as an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral. This recognition is a real honour and I am truly grateful. I am also immensely grateful for the support of my colleagues and community at the parish of St Helier.”

The Revd Liz Newman, Rector, Charlton Benefice, Bishop’s Adviser for Clergy Spouses & Adviser for Women’s Ministry, Woolwich Episcopal Area

“It was an honour and surprise to be offered an honorary canonry by Bishop Christopher. It will be a privilege to serve a diocese I love in this new role.”

The Revd Stanley Njoka, Vicar, St Catherine, Hatcham

“I was genuinely taken by surprise by the news of my appointment, and I accept it with deep gratitude and humility. While I feel honoured to be more closely connected to the life of Southwark Cathedral, I am mindful that many faithful and devoted people serve tirelessly without recognition. For me, this appointment is not about personal achievement but a sign of the Church’s shared commitment to embodying justice, diversity, compassion, hospitality, and inclusion in all that we do. As a priest and theological educator, I hold these values at the heart of my ministry, and I see this role as an opportunity to serve as an ambassador not only for the Cathedral, which I love, but also for the wider Diocese of Southwark. I am deeply thankful to Bishop Christopher for this gracious invitation, and I look forward to playing my part, alongside others, in the shared work of God’s mission.”

The Revd Gill O’Neill, Vicar, St John the Evangelist, East Dulwich

“It was a surprise and an honour to be made an Honorary Canon, and it is encouraging to be affirmed in this way. I hope I will be a worthy bearer of the title!”
“It’s a gift that brings great joy but knowing the breadth and depth of ministry in Southwark I can safely say non sum dignus – thus I hope it’s ok to receive it as a distinction conferred on the congregation and parish of HT Roehampton whom it is my good fortune to serve.”

The Revd John Pritchard, Vicar, St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood, Diocesan Spirituality Adviser

“I am touched and humbled by being invited to become an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral and grateful to Bishop Christopher, his senior staff and Cathedral community for this honour. My vocation has taken me places I rarely expected, and God has been ever faithful in showing kindness to me; transforming my life though this wonderful Diocese and allowing me some of the most awesome colleagues in the Parish I am called to serve. It takes a community to help build God’s Kingdom, and I am so pleased that this title and shared responsibility have brought delight to my neighbours and happiness to so many others, as much as it has to me.”

The Revd Joshua Rey, Vicar, Holy Trinity, Roehampton

“It’s a gift that brings great joy but knowing the breadth and depth of ministry in Southwark I can safely say non sum dignus – thus I hope it’s ok to receive it as a distinction conferred on the congregation and parish of HT Roehampton whom it is my good fortune to serve.”