Andrew Zihni installed as the 39th Dean of Gloucester

The historic service took place in the Nave of the Cathedral, and was attended by around 700 people from across the city, county, diocese and beyond. A central part of the service was the installation itself, during which Dean Andrew took an oath to administer the Cathedral in accordance with its Constitution and Statutes, before being placed in his official chair or ‘stall’ in the Quire by the Bishop of Tewkesbury.

Before this, Dean Andrew gave a sermon in which he introduced himself to the congregation and shared his hopes of living out his new ministry in ‘joy, openness and love’. The service also featured beautiful music performed by the Cathedral Choir, alongside readings and prayers from members of the local community.

The service was live-streamed, and a recording is available on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel.

Reflecting on the Installation, Dean Andrew said:

“It was a huge joy and honour to have been installed during Sunday’s service as the 39th Dean of Gloucester. Some parts of the service had their roots in what happened on such occasions in medieval times, so this was a striking reminder of the significant responsibility that has been conferred on me, going back not only to the Reformation, when the Cathedral was reconstituted as a new Foundation, but to the Abbots of the Benedictine monastery established here in the 11th century.

In celebrating this new chapter in the Cathedral’s story, I am looking forward to the work of leading the Cathedral community as a beacon of Christian hope to the city, the county, and the diocese, pointing to the love of Jesus Christ for all people in the richness and splendour of our diversity.”

As Dean of Gloucester, Andrew will lead all aspects of the Cathedral’s life, including daily worship, working closely with all staff teams and volunteers, and working in partnership with organisations across the county. Next week, he will lead the Cathedral in its celebrations of the Coronation, which will include a service of thanksgiving at 11am on Monday 8 May. All are warmly welcome to attend this service, and people are being asked to register in advance via the Cathedral website.

Dean Andrew added:

“During this special service of thanksgiving for the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, we shall gather to pray for King Charles and Queen Camilla, and to show our deep and heartfelt appreciation for the many volunteers who in a variety of capacities work so hard to serve and care for others.”

ENDS

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester:

Andrew was born and grew up in Hong Kong, before moving to the UK with his family. He trained for ordination at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained Deacon in 2002 and Priest in 2003. He began his ordained ministry in the former mining town of Goldthorpe in South Yorkshire, before moving to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where he was a Minor Canon and School Chaplain. Andrew then moved to Southwark, where he was Assistant Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Southwark and Honorary Minor Canon at Southwark Cathedral before becoming Canon Precentor in January 2021. He was also a Priest Vicar at Westminster Abbey from 2018 to 2021. In April 2023, he was installed as the 39th Dean of Gloucester.

For more press information contact:

Ellie Fells

Marketing & Communications Manager

Ellie.fells@gloucestercathedral.org.uk