The new Dean of Worcester has been installed at Worcester Cathedral.

The Very Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards was appointed as the 47th Dean of Worcester on Sunday (September 15).

Appointed by King Charles III in June, Dr Edwards had served as interim dean since last September after the retirement of the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson.

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Dr Edwards joined the cathedral as a residentiary canon in September 2019, with responsibilities including promoting the cathedral’s mission and providing pastoral care.

He will continue to play a key role in both the cathedral and the diocese.

Dr Edwards said: "Over the past few months I have been asked by many people, why do you want to be a dean?

"It is a good question.

"As dean, the pastoral care of the cathedral community is a paramount priority, one which can be easily lost in the breadth of responsibilities and competing demands."

Dr Edwards has a passion for church buildings and cathedrals.

He said: "To visit a cathedral is to visit an architectural gem which holds safe the hopes and dreams, sorrows, cries, and love of unnumbered generations."

He also spoke about the diverse range of events the cathedral has hosted in the past year, from concerts to silent discos.

Dr Edwards added: "Exploring the intersection of contemporary values with traditional spaces is nothing new for the church; proclaiming the gospel afresh in every generation requires ingenuity and an ability to see potential in new adventures.

"If I must be drawn on my vision for the cathedral during the time of my decanal years, I want not to be specific but to pray that they will be shaped by the character of architecture, ale, and a love of dogs."

Ordained in 1996, Dr Edwards has served in the Church in Wales and the Diocese of Manchester, where he was rector of St Agnes’ and team rector of Wythenshawe.

He has also been involved in the cathedral and diocesan eco groups and the diocesan racial justice forum.

For more information about Worcester Cathedral, visit www.worcestercathedral.org.uk.