The Dean of Southwark, The Very Revd Andrew Nunn, has announced his intention to retire on 4 July 2023 following the 40th anniversary of his ordination as Deacon.
In his letter to the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, the Dean said, “I wanted to give you a year’s notice of this in order to allow you to begin the process of identifying and appointing my successor and for the new Cathedral Chapter to do the work it will need to do in order to be in a position to welcome a new Dean. It has been the most enormous privilege to serve the people of God and lead the worship of Almighty God for all these years but especially from this position.”
He continued, “There is a great deal I can do in a year. Be assured, I won’t coast towards retirement. It will be heart-breaking leaving but the time is right and I am sure you will find somebody wonderful to serve this wonderful community.”
Bishop Christopher said, “The Dean of Southwark is much loved. He has brought his considerable gifts to the service of the Cathedral and wider Church with priestly devotion, humour, and a passion for generous and including orthodoxy. As Dean he has built a hospitable and engaged community of prayer at the Cathedral, and as senior priest of the Diocese he has engaged with different civic bodies in a way that has earned their respect and ensured that the Church of England is seen as a credible partner in different walks of life. Andrew will be greatly missed by colleagues in the Cathedral, the Diocese of Southwark and on General Synod. I have accepted his notice to retire with a sad heart, but Andrew is assured of my prayers and thanks for all that he has done and will continue to do over the coming year until his retirement.”
Andrew became Acting Dean following the death of The Very Revd Colin Slee, in November 2010 and was installed as Dean on the Feast of St Agnes, 21 January 2012. He came to the Cathedral in September 1999 as Sub Dean and Precentor and so will have served the Cathedral for 24 years. We look forward to working with Andrew over this coming year and having the opportunity to celebrate with him all that Southwark Cathedral means for the community, Diocese, church and nation.
