Bishop of Bristol appoints three new Honorary Canons

First published 19th July 2021

Derek Maddox Sally Wheeler Simon Pugh-Jones

The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, is pleased to announce that three new canons have been appointed for the College of Canons in the Diocese of Bristol. The role of Honorary Canon gives appointees a place and voice in the life of Bristol Cathedral and a link into the wider work of the diocese.

Revd Derek Maddox and Revd Sally Wheeler have been appointed as new Honorary Clergy Canons. Bishop Viv said that Derek had been appointed “in recognition of his determined and sacrificial ministry since 2013 in Hartcliffe and Withywood, and his emerging leadership role amongst UKME clergy and lay people in the diocese”.

Revd Derek Maddox: “I am very honoured and delighted to receive this appointment and I hope it will give me more of a voice to be an advocate for estates ministry and BAME inclusion and representation in the diocese.”

Revd Sally Wheeler was appointed by the bishop “in recognition of her significant contribution to the life of the church in Chippenham Deanery (as Self Supporting Minister at St Paul’s, Chippenham, as curate and then Team Vicar at Corsham, as Priest in Charge and subsequently incumbent of Marshfield and particularly as Area Dean since 2015)”.

Sally said: “I'm so pleased to accept the role of Honorary Canon at Bristol Cathedral. I have ministered in Chippenham Deanery since my ordination within various church groups and roles, and I now look forward to broadening my involvement in the spiritual life of the diocese through this honorary role.”

Bishop Viv also appointed one new Lay Canon. Simon Pugh-Jones was nominated by the bishop “in recognition of his work in the diocese as Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, and in his pioneering and determined focus on the need to adapt our church buildings to reduce their negative impact on the environment”.

Simon said of the appointment: “On being asked to consider this honorary role I’ll admit that, as a lay person not so fluent in the workings of cathedrals and colleges, I was anxious to learn what I might be saying yes to. But I bet Simon Peter and Andrew felt the same when called by Jesus! Nonetheless they said yes. For the same reasons, so do I.”

All three of the new canons will be installed in an evensong in Bristol Cathedral on 10 October.

Images, from left to right: Revd Derek Maddox, Revd Sally Wheeler, Simon Pugh-Jones

Powered by Church Edit