The King has approved the nomination of The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, Interim Dean of Worcester, to be appointed as the new Dean of Worcester.

Dr Edwards has been Interim Dean since the retirement of the Very Revd Peter Atkinson last September. He will be installed as Dean on Sunday, September 15 at 3pm.

Dr Edwards joined Worcester Cathedral as a Residentiary Canon in September 2019 and has had particular responsibility for promoting the Cathedral’s mission in the Diocese and local community, as well as the pastoral care and spiritual nurture of the Cathedral community.

As Interim Dean, he has led the Cathedral through the vacancy and as Dean he will continue to play a key role in both the Cathedral and the Diocese.

Dr Edwards said: “Ever since arriving in Worcester five years ago I have loved this amazing Cathedral and have grown in deep affection for the people and city as well as the wider diocese.

"It is now a privilege and joy to be appointed as Dean of Worcester and I look forward to continuing to develop the Cathedral’s ministry and position as a place of prayer, learning and welcome.”

Bishop John said: “I am delighted with this appointment. Stephen is an exceptionally gifted priest who is much loved in Worcester and beyond. He has been a brilliant Interim Dean, and we are very blessed that God has called him to be the next Dean.”

Dr Edwards was ordained in 1996, serving first in the Church in Wales and then in the Diocese of Manchester, where he was Rector of the inner-city parish of St Agnes’, Longsight and then Team Rector of Wythenshawe.

Dr Edwards was also the Bishop of Manchester’s adviser for liturgy and worship as well as the co-ordinator of the Manchester Estate Ministry Network.

As a Residentiary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, Dr Edwards has also been involved in the Cathedral and diocesan Eco groups and the diocesan Racial Justice Forum. 

He is the independent chair of the Worcester Cares forum for homelessness and vulnerable people. His interests include architecture, ales and a love of dogs.

Dr Edwards was educated at Lancaster University and trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge.

He was ordained in 1996 served his curacy in the parish of Colwyn Bay, in the Diocese of St Asaph, Wales. From 1999, he served as Priest-in-Charge of Bryn-Y-Maen.

In 2002, Dr Edwards was appointed Priest-in-Charge at St Agnes Birch-in-Rusholme, with St John with St Cyprian Longsight, in the Diocese of Manchester. From 2012, he served as Team Rector of Wythenshawe and, in 2013, he was additionally appointed Area Dean, Withington.

In 2019, Dr Edwards was appointed Residentiary Canon at Worcester Cathedral, named as Vice-Dean in 2021, and he took up his current role as Interim Dean in 2023.