THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER
The Cathedral is literally the seat of the Bishop. It contains his cathedra, Latin for seat or throne. In early days, the clergy who staffed cathedrals were part of the Bishop's household and he still appoints the Canons and Prebendaries. Because of his mobility, his staff were divided into those who travelled with him and those who remained to run the Cathedral. The latter developed a life of their own but these clergy were Subject to a Rule of Life laid down by the Bishop. This is reflected in their title canon, from the Greek for rule or law.
The first Bishop of Exeter, Leofric (1050-1072), imposed a modified form of the Rule of St Benedict, although the canons were not monks and were not subject to monastic vows. After the death of Leofric, the Cathedral developed into a fully secular foundation, the canons living independently in houses in the Close, the land immediately around the Cathedral. Exeter, and English cathedrals with a similar background, are generally referred to as Cathedrals Of The Old Foundation.
The monastic cathedrals, such as Canterbury and Durham where monks lived a communal life, were re-founded as secular cathedrals after the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-1540). These are referred to as Cathedrals Of The New Foundation. The words 'old' and 'new' refer to Henry VIII's constitution and not to the age of the buildings.
The principal duty imposed on the canons was to worship together. In mediaeval times there were many more services, and they lasted much longer than today. Services began at midnight with mattins and finished at about 5 p.m. with compline. All this involved on average some seven hours a day in church. In addition to the canons, there were four groups of subordinate clergy who maintained Cathedral worship. The most important of these were the vicars (from the Latin for deputy) who deputised for and assisted the canons. Thus a very large body of clergy gathered around the Cathedral, anything from forty to seventy being in attendance at any time, depending on the season.
Since the Reformation the number of clergy attached to the Cathedral has reduced and lay people have come to play a larger part in its life. Many of the ancient titles of the clergy, and the duties associated with them, have remained as have the original roles of the Cathedral: the worship of God and the support of the Bishop of the Diocese.
The powers and duties of the Cathedral and its principal officers who, collectively, are often called the Foundation are set out in the Constitution and Statutes - a code which has evolved since the Rule introduced by Leofric in the 11th Century.
The Statutes are made by the Queen in Council. They were last revised in 1967 and amended in 1990.
The Right Reverend Michael Langrish,
The Palace, Exeter, EX1 1HY, Tel: 01392 272362
The Lord Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Michael Langrish. Bishop Michael was enthroned in Exeter Cathedral as the 70th Bishop of Exeter on 1st April 2000, having previously served as Bishop of Birkenhead in the Diocese of Chester.
The Lord Bishop is the most senior person in the Cathedral Foundation. Under the constitution and statutes he has certain defined powers but does not take part in the day-to-day management and administration of the Cathedral. In his capacity as Visitor he is entitled to enforce observance of the constitution and statutes.
The Lord Bishop is invited (and entitled) to preach in the Cathedral on several occasions during the year and to hold ordinations, and other special services and in general, to request the use of the Cathedral for the purposes of the Diocese.
The Chapter consists of the Dean and Canons Residentiary. Nowadays they are often referred to as the Dean and Chapter although, strictly speaking, this describes the Dean and Greater Chapter.
By about the year 1225 the four principal officers of the Cathedral were the Dean, Precentor, Chancellor, and Treasurer. In the statutes they are called the Quattuor Personae or Greater Dignitaries. They occupy the stalls at the four corners of the Quire, an indication of their role as the cornerstones of the leadership of the Cathedral. Seniority in the Chapter, after the Dean, is now (since 1967) according to date of institution. By long tradition the Archdeacon of Exeter has been a Residentiary Canon but this is no longer a statutory requirement. The ancient titles are still in use today.
The Chapter is responsible as a corporate body for all aspects of the running of the Cathedral. This includes worship, the building, the appointment and management of staff and finance. In addition the Chapter assists the Bishop of the Diocese in his work: offering advice and support, welcoming Diocesan organisations to the Cathedral and generally assisting by means of preaching, spiritual direction and other activity.
Members of the Chapter must reside in The Close and at any time one of them is designated Canon in Residence when it is his duty to be present at Cathedral Services and to deal with any emergencies or urgent business. For this reason it is important for people to know who is in residence and the name and telephone number are published in the Weekly Sheet.
Where possible the Chapter worships together as a collegiate body every day. Chapter Meetings, at which the business of the Cathedral is conducted are held at regular intervals, normally monthly. The Dean and Chapter is the patron of many livings in the Diocese and deals with the appointment of Clergy to those parishes.
At times the members of the Chapter hold important positions and perform duties outside the Cathedral. Cathedral duties, such as the conduct of services, preaching and pastoral care, are shared among the Chapter and other clergy within and outside the Foundation - hence the variety and number of clergy involved in Cathedral life.
The Chapter always acts collectively but there is a broad division of responsibilities to ensure that the different areas of Cathedral life have a personal and recognised link with the Chapter.
The Very Reverend Jonathan Meyrick.
The Deanery, 10 The Close, Exeter, EX1 1EZ, Tel: 01392 273509
E-mail: dean@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
The Dean, who is appointed by the Queen, is primarily responsible for the Cathedral and its activity. He is President of the Chapter where he is primus inter pares (first among equals) and of the Greater Chapter. Within the small parish of the Cathedral, the Precincts of the Close, he has cure of souls: spiritual and pastoral oversight.
The Reverend Canon Tom Honey, (narrative being updated)
9 The Close, Exeter, EX1 1EZ, Tel: 01392 279367
E-mail: pastor@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Historically, the Treasurer was responsible for the contents of the Cathedral such as plate, vestments, lights, bells. He had the assistance of the Sub-Treasurer or Sacrist, a priest vicar, but this is no longer the case.
The Reverend Canon Carl Turner,
6 The Close, Exeter, EX1 1EZ, Tel: 01392 272498
E-mail: precentor@exeter-cathedral.org.uk
As befits the holder of an office derived from the Latin praecentor (first chanter/singer) the Precentor was responsible in mediaeval times for the liturgy and music. Formerly he had the assistance of the Succentor (sub-chanter), a priest vicar, but this office is in abeyance.
The ancient duties of the Precentor are contained in those of today, namely Worship (Priest Vicar, and Deputy Priest Vicars, Servers, Forms of Service), Music (Organists and Choirs) . He is a governor of Exeter Cathedral School.
Canon Andrew Godsall (narrative being updated).
The office of Chancellor carries responsibility for education, the library and archives.
Canon Mark J. Rylands
The Old Deanery, Exeter, EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 272686
E-mail: fishing@exeter.anglican.org
Mark is the Diocesan Missioner and the newly installed residentiary Canon (19th October 2002). The main part of Mark's work is:
Mark is the Director of the Council for Mission and Unity.
The Greater Chapter consists of the Dean and Canons Residentiary and the Non-Residentiary Canons or Prebendaries. The term Prebendary is an alternative to the title Canon, derived from prebend, the name of their stipend or salary. The term Dean and Chapter correctly describes the Dean and Prebendaries.
The Greater Chapter formally elects, but does not appoint, the Bishop and the Dean. At the request of the Bishop, they may afford him "counsel and advice". It meets at least once a year on 21st November, which is the Feast of Dedication, the anniversary of the dedication of the High Altar of the Norman Cathedral in 1133, and for the installation of its members and the Bishop.
The Prebendaries are senior members of the clergy in the Diocese appointed to office by the Lord Bishop. They are invited to preach in the Cathedral each year.
The Reverend Prebendary Dr Paul Avis,
The Sub-Dean is the senior Non-Residentiary Prebendary and he has the role of assisting the Greater Chapter in the communication of Diocesan policy in mission and ministry. The office of Sub-Dean was created in 1284 when he lived in The Close and acted as Confessor to The Dean and Chapter.
Alison Turner, Jeff Bishop and Andi Hofbauer.
The Deputy Priest Vicars are minor canons whose principal duty in the Cathedral is to sing. The office is given for life and most of the present deputy priest vicars are retired.
Several retired Clergy take part in Cathedral services,especially at the Sung Eucharist on Sunday.
The Duty Chaplains are a group of about fifty, mostly retired, clergy from all over the Diocese.
On weekdays from April to October one of them is on duty in the Cathedral to meet the pastoral needs of visitors and others in the Cathedral, especially cases which require urgent attention. They are also equipped to deal with general enquiries about the Cathedral, its purpose, history and architecture.
The daily rota is divided into two periods of duty: 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Each chaplain usually helps for one whole day or two half days each month.
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