Southwark Cathedral has appointed a new dean in The Revd Dr Mark Oakley following the resignation The Very Revd Andrew Nunn last month.
Mark Oakley is currently Dean of Chapel and Fellow of St John’s College and has previously been Chaplain of Copenhagen and Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe.
A dean in the Church of England is the most senior priest at a cathedral and serves directly under the bishop.
Mark Oakley will be responsible for helping the Southwark Diocese grow its Christian community, expand its online presence and develop partnerships with other faith organisations.
He said: “I am very honoured, and a little daunted, to be asked to continue the ministry of the Dean of Southwark, following on from the extraordinary work and presence of Andrew Nunn.
“I have been grateful all my life for the existence of Southwark Cathedral, for its witness to the gospel through learning and formation, arts and the imagination, local partnerships and a commitment to social justice.
“I am now deeply grateful to be asked to become a part of its life and mission, and I ask for your prayers as I prepare to join the people of the cathedral and diocese.”
In an interview with the News, his predecessor Andrew Nunn, who was appointed in 1999, recounted his tenure, which included tragic events such as the 2017 London Bridge terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the terror attack, he said: “Rather than driving a wedge between us, as terrorism is often intended to do, it enhanced our relationship with the local Muslim community – and it brought this Bankside community together in a very strong way.”
His advise to his successor was to “enjoy being in London, enjoy the vibrant community on the south bank and realise the diversity here is of great strength”.
Mark Oakley will be installed as dean at Choral Evensong in Southwark Cathedral on Advent Sunday, December 3, at 3pm.