Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, is pleased to announce that the Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough as a Residentiary Canon at Bristol Cathedral following the resignation of Revd Canon Derek Chedzey last year.
Martin, who is also Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol, will hold the position of Diocesan Canon with a particular responsibility for relations between the Cathedral and the Diocese, and Bishop Vivs ministry in the public square.
Martin will be installed by the Dean of Bristol, the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, at evensong on 22 May.
Bishop Viv said: "The Diocesan canonries enable the sustenance of a common mission and purpose between the Cathedral and the wider diocese.
"Martin has already had an effective ministry as a member of Chapter at Bristol Cathedral, amongst other responsibilities developing its social engagement. That will continue as he also supports me and my office more generally, including in my engagement with civil society in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Wiltshire and Swindon."
The Dean said: "We are delighted to welcome Martin (already an Honorary Canon) back into an even closer relationship with the Cathedral as a member of Chapter. His leadership in our engagement with social justice has been transformative and his commitment to our corporate and worshipping life has been exemplary.
"We greet a good friend with affection and the cathedral welcomes a new opportunity to engage more closely with our Bishop."
Martin said: "I am delighted and honoured to take on this role. Having been at the Cathedral for two years prior to becoming Bishops Chaplain, it is great to be coming back albeit in a different guise.
"I look forward to working once again with the Dean and Chapter, re-establishing ties with the wider Cathedral community, and ensuring that Cathedral and Diocese work effectively together for the mission of the whole Church."
Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough, Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol
Martin was ordained in Bristol in 2010 having earlier pursued a career as an academic.He was Professor of Development Politics at the University Bristol from 2012-18, specialising in political theology, environmental and development politics.Martin did graduate study at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, writing a PhD on politics in Vietnam, a country where he lived, worked and learnt the language.In his Church roles, Martin has served as an inner city parish priest and as Canon Theologian at Bristol Cathedral.In 2018, he left the University to become Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol.Martin is a member of the Church of Englands General Synod and Chaplain to the Royal Marines Reserve.He is married to Mary, a Community Paediatrician, and they have three children.