The Bishop of Bristol and the Dean and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral are delighted to announce that the Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of the Revd Neil Patterson to the Residentiary Canonry at Bristol Cathedral which became vacant by the resignation of the Reverend Canon Nicola Stanley in January 2024.
Neil will be Residentiary Canon and Vice Dean with shared responsibility for the leadership of the Cathedral and particular responsibility for the pastoral care and development of the Cathedral congregation.
The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol said:
“I am delighted that Neil will be joining us at Bristol Cathedral. He brings immense gifts as a pastor and scholar, but also, as I know from working with him on General Synod, an eye for detail and concern for good process which will be a great asset to our Cathedral Chapter. We are particularly grateful to the Diocese of Hereford for being willing to release Neil to take up his post in July.”
The Revd Neil Patterson has served in Hereford Diocese since ordination in 2004, in parish ministry in south Shropshire and near Ross-on-Wye and then since 2015 as Director of Vocations & Ordinands. He has been a member of General Synod since 2012 and recently contributed to building support for the greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ members of the Church of England through the Living in Love and Faith process, and now chairs Together for the Church of England, the new organisation working for a united and inclusive CofE.
The Revd Neil Patterson said:
“On all my visits to Bristol I have been impressed by the energy and friendliness of all the Cathedral staff, and am excited to be joining such a diverse and dynamic team.”
Neil has published on the history of church law and is involved in theological education as a Governor at Ripon College Cuddesdon. He has contributed to environmental action as Secretary of the former River Wye Preservation Trust, and looks forward to becoming involved in the green city of Bristol. He is excited about the potential of cathedral life in a major creative centre, and as a singer to be part of a choral foundation where God is praised with the best of human art and skill.
Neil’s installation will take place in Bristol Cathedral at Evensong, 3.30pm on Sunday 14 July 2024.
Credit: Hereford Diocese