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Robert Rowland and Michael Balkwill with the Bishop

Cathedral welcomes two new Canons


Two new Canons were installed at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday 3 July to recognise their outstanding service to the Diocese.

Revd Canon Robert Rowland and Revd Michael Balkwill will sit in the stalls of Randulph de Birkened and David ap Howell respectively.

Robert has served for more than 30 years as Vicar of Dyserth and spent his entire ministry with the Diocese of St Asaph – including 16 years as Area Dean of St Asaph.

Michael has served in Llanfyllin for 14 years as Rector and has recently moved to St Asaph to take up the post of Bishop’s Chaplain.

During the service Bishop Gregory preached from 2 Samuel and John’s Gospel. He likened the way Jesus went to “awaken” Lazarus from the dead in John 11 to the job faithful clergy must do in awakening people to know God’s calling on their lives.

Commenting on the Installations, Bishop Gregory said:

“The position of Canon in the Cathedral is a way of affirming the outstanding service of clerics to the Diocese. On this occasion, we celebrate the long and dedicated ministry of Canon Robert Rowland, a distinguished parish priest who has served in the Parish of Dyserth for 30 years.

“Also, we recognise the distinctive and important ministry of Bishop’s Chaplain. Michael Balkwill has also a distinguished parish ministry in the diocese and brings considerable skills to the post of Bishop’s Chaplain – after all, he’s got to cope with me!”

To see more pictures from the Installation of Canons please view our Flickr page.

Send your news of events - forthcoming and recently enjoyed - to the Diocesan Communications Officer, Phil Topham. The news pages of the website include Bishop Gregory's mailing to clergy, a Calendar of forthcoming events, news of activities around the Diocese and a link to the Diocesan newsletter, Teulu Asaph. Use the column on the right to navigate around these pages.

 

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