Farewells at St Paul's

07/01/10

The Reverend Canon Martin Warner MA PhD, Canon Treasurer of St Paul’s Cathedral presided over his final service at St Paul’s Cathedral last night after being appointed by HM The Queen as the Suffragan Bishop of Whitby.

Martin Warner was appointed as a Residential Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral in 2003. Since 2007 his brief as Treasurer has included responsibility for the fabric of St Paul's and the development of a visual arts programme.

St Paul’s Cathedral also bid farewell to Lay Canon Claire Foster at last night’s service. Claire Foster ended her time as Lay Canon on 31st December 2009 after seven years’ service. Claire was Lay Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, and Director of the St Paul's Institute for 21st century ethics.

The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres gave an individual blessing to Canon Martin Warner and Lay Canon Claire Foster at the end of the Eucharist.

Martin Warner’s consecration will take place on the 26th January at York Minster during the Eucharist presided over by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Martin will be presented by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, and the Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Richard Frith. The sermon will be preached by the Revd Philip North, Team Rector of the Old St Pancras Team, London.

Canon Martin Warner said:

"I am excited and awed at the prospect of moving to Teesside to be the Bishop of Whitby. I look forward to being part of the Archbishop’s team in the Diocese of York, and to working with men and women of this Archdeaconry."

The Bishop of London said: "Martin will be missed in London but he goes North with gratitude for all that he has done and prayers for his future ministry."