Cathedral Mission and Structure
Lincoln Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Lincoln and a centre of worship and mission.
Its eminence in dignity and structure dominates both city and county. It is, therefore, a powerful religious symbol and a natural focal point for Christian aspiration and witness in the Diocese of Lincoln, as well as a source of local pride and distinction in a wider world.
Like other cathedrals, Lincoln must stand out as a workshop of creativity and a working space for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its worship demands the highest standards in language and music, with both regular and sensibly ordered liturgy and the opportunity for the arts to find both purposeful and dignified expression.
All great churches come alive when people in their search for truth, beauty and goodness find welcome and encouragement to explore them. The cathedral as a place of pilgrimage will be vigilant to renew its hospitality and its teaching and learning as essential elements in its community life. With its high profile the cathedral is also a place where strong challenges to contemporary values can be made plain, not only by word but also by practical action and social concern.
Equally important in our divided world is the cathedral’s example of how a mixed body of Christians can work together in harmony, as part of the wider church, in spite of all their differences in outlook and personality. Each member of the cathedral community brings particular gifts and experiences to the Foundation, and though each member of the Chapter has the responsibility to ensure that the full priestly ministry and mission of the church is expressed through the life and work of the cathedral, the contribution of the laity and congregation is equally important, and is made in an even greater number of different ways.
The Cathedral is governed by its Constitution and Statutes under the Cathedrals Measure 1999.
The Cathedral Chapter is the governing body of the Cathedral directing and overseeing the administration of its affairs. It consists of the Dean and up to four Residentiary Canons, four lay people and one parish priest from the diocese, with the Chief Executive & Chapter Clerk and a Minute Secretary in attendance. The Chapter presents an annual report to the Cathedral Council, a body representing the interests of the wider church and community, which offers support and advice. These two bodies, together with the College of Canons, form the legal entity of Lincoln Cathedral. More information about the Dean and the Residentary Canons and their staff may be found on the Who’s Who pages in each section of the website.
The Chapter is supported in its work by a number of committees:
- Finance Committee
- Fabric Fund
- Fabric Advisory Committee
- Library Council
- Music Council
- Health & Safety Committees
The Cathedral Council oversees the work of the Chapter meeting every half-year to receive reports and offer guidance and support. The Bishop appoints the members of Council.
The Bishop also appoints the fifty three Canons and Prebendaries who make up the College of Canons, whose role it is to give counsel both to the Bishop and to the Chapter on any matter concerning the cathedral as the seat of the Bishop.
The Bishop himself is the Visitor of the Cathedral. More significantly the Cathedral only bears the name Cathedral because within it there is the Cathedra, or seat, of the Bishop. Governance
The Chapter; as of 31st March 2011 comprised:
Residentiary Canons:
- The Very Revd Philip Buckler, Dean
- The Revd Canon Gavin Kirk, Precentor
- The Revd Canon Dr Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
- The Revd Canon John Parrick, Subdean
and
- The Revd Canon Peter Godden,
- Mrs Ruth Parker, Lay Canon
- Air Vice-Marshall Paul Robinson, Lay Canon
- Dr Nikki Waddie, Lay Canon,
- Mr Martin Pickering, Lay Canon, Finance Committee Chairman