Gloucester Cathedral introduces Dean-designate

On Thursday last week, The Revd Canon Andrew Zihni was announced as the 39th Dean of Gloucester. Throughout the day, Andrew met with staff teams and individuals from partner organisations across the city

At 10am on Thursday, No.10 Downing Street announced that His Majesty the King had approved the appointment of Canon Andrew Zihni as the 39th Dean of Gloucester.

The exciting news was shared by The Right Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, at a briefing attended by Cathedral and Diocesan staff. The Dean-designate then introduced himself, before being taken on a tour of the Cathedral. As part of this, Andrew had a further opportunity to meet with the staff teams who all play such a crucial role in the daily life of the Cathedral, including the Stonemasons, Maintenance team, The Monk’s Kitchen and Gift Shop teams, Visitor Welcome team and wider office teams.

Meeting the Visitor Operations team, who play the crucial role of managing the Cathedral diary

This was followed by a lunch hosted by the King’s School, Gloucester, who the Cathedral has shared a close relationship with since the school’s foundation in 1541.

Andrew met with staff and students at The King's School

In the afternoon, Andrew spent time meeting with some of the Cathedral’s partner organisations across the city. This included a visit to a Winter Shelter, which is run by Gloucester City Mission and provides rough sleepers with somewhere safe and warm to stay. Supporting the homeless and vulnerable, and helping them to develop as individuals, is core to the Cathedral’s values, vision and mission. As part of this, the Cathedral runs a Breakfast Club on a Thursday and Sunday, and works closely with Gloucester City Mission throughout the year.

Andrew also visited St Mary de Crypt, a church within the Diocese of Gloucester. He joined in a Prayers for Christian Unity event, which was taking place as part of the international Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and met with individuals from different Christian denominations across the county.

Meeting with Christian leaders at St Mary de Crypt

The day concluded with Choral Evensong, held in the Quire of the Cathedral. Andrew gave a homily, in which he introduced himself to the congregation and looked ahead to his new ministry in Gloucester.

Canon Andrew said:

“It was a wonderful day meeting with new colleagues in the Cathedral and Diocese, enjoying lunch with pupils and staff at The King’s School, visiting the Winter Shelter run by Gloucester City Mission and praying with Christian communities from across the city at St Mary de Crypt.

All of this has strengthened my sense of excitement and anticipation for the move to Gloucester in April. I am so looking forward to making new friends and sharing in the Cathedral’s mission to be a beacon of hope to the city, county and wider diocese, pointing to the love of Jesus Christ for all people in the richness of our diversity.”

Andrew was met by a warm welcome, and all at Gloucester Cathedral and the Diocese of Gloucester very much look forward to his Installation as Dean of Gloucester soon after Easter.

A short video, which was filmed with Canon Andrew Zihni on the day he was announced as the next Dean of Gloucester, can be found on the Gloucester Cathedral YouTube channel. In this video, Canon Andrew discusses his ministry so far and looks ahead to his new role in Gloucester.