Cathedral Chapter
Contact the Chapter on 0161 833 2220.
The Dean
The Very Revd Rogers Govender dean@manchestercathedral.org
Born in Durban, South Africa; married to Celia; two children; ordained in the Diocese of Natal in 1985; Served as Vicar of various parishes in Durban and Pietermaritzburg for 15 years before moving to Manchester as Vicar of West Didsbury at the end of 2000; Area Dean of Withington (South Manchester); Dean of Manchester since January 2006.
Interests include reading, listening to all types of music, fishing and cooking.
Canon Theologian
The Revd Canon Andrew Shanks canon.shanks@manchestercathedral.org
Andrew Shanks is the Canon Theologian, in charge of the Cathedral’s educational programme. He has been at Manchester Cathedral since 2004. Previously he worked as a parish priest in Leeds, an inner city parish and a housing estate, and in rural North Yorkshire; and as an academic theologian at the universities of Lancaster and Leeds.
He has also lived and worked in Ethiopia and in Upper Egypt. His published books include Hegel’s Political Theology (1991), Civil Society, Civil Religion (1995), God and Modernity (2000), “What Is Truth?” Towards a Theological Poetics (2001), Faith in Honesty (2005), The Other Calling (2007), Against Innocence: Gillian Rose’s Reception and Gift of Faith (2008). He is married to Dian Leppington, who is also a priest.
Canon Precentor
The Revd Canon Philip Barratt canon.precentor@manchestercathedral.org
Philip was born and brought up in North Manchester. He started his working life as a Community Worker based in the Cheetwood Area before becoming a Professional Musician working mostly in theatre and cabaret. He trained for the priesthood with the Aston Training Scheme and at The College of the Resurrection Mirfield. He has previously worked as a Hospital Chaplain, and has spent the last twenty years in parish ministry in the Diocese, the last 16 of which as Vicar of St James Thornham in Rochdale. As well as parish ministry Philip has been a Liturgy Advisor for the Rochdale Archdeaconry, a Member of General Synod, has served on a number of advisory groups and is currently also an Examining Chaplain and a member of the Bishops Advisory group on Prayer and Spirituality. He is a Professed member of the Anglican Order of Cistercians and so has more than a keen interest in Prayer and monastic spirituality.
Philip is married to Irene, a junior school Head-teacher in Oldham and they have one daughter Sarah. Irene was for many years a member of the worshipping Cathedral community with her mother and Philip & Irene were married in the Cathedral in 1992: a week later he returned for his Ordination!
Archdeacon of Manchester & Residentiary Canon
The Venerable Mark Ashcroft archmanchester@manchester.anglican.org
Mark Ashcroft is Archdeacon of Manchester & Residentiary Canon.
Canon Barrie Cheshire
Following a chemistry degree Barrie entered the teaching profession, eventually becoming Vice Principal of a Sixth Form College in Ashton-U-Lyne. He took early retirement from teaching in order to follow his love of music and singing in particular.
Barrie joined the cathedral as tenor lay clerk and sung in the choir for 11 years. He is now an active member of the cathedral congregation. In 2008 he was elected to the Cathedral Chapter as a lay member, and, at the invitation of the Bishop, was installed as lay canon in 2009.
On chapter Barrie takes a keen interest in musical matters, and matters relating to the Cathedral community in its widest sense. He finds Manchester Cathedral to be a welcoming community, and strives to develop this further to the benefit of Manchester and the Diocese.
Canon Jennifer Curtis
Jennifer is an archetypal working mother; she juggles full-time job and family and then tries to fit in some leisure interests. A scientist by training she is a librarian at The University of Manchester, dealing with systems and digital images rather than books. A steward and former member of the Cathedral Community Committee, Jennifer is an active member of the regular worshipping Cathedral congregation. On Chapter she aims to contribute a practical, "consumer view" to help ensure that the Cathedral develops its position as a vibrant, welcoming spiritual centre for Manchester and its diocese, without losing sight of its heritage responsibilities and traditions.
Canon David Howe
David was born in Gorton and sang at St Philip’s Church before joining the Cathedral Voluntary Choir in 1949. In 1962, the year he married Joan, he became a Sidesman and subsequently a Church Warden. In 2003 he was elected as one of the first Lay Canons.
David is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Consulting Forensic Engineer. He has a history of public service as a Scout Master, Magistrate, member of the Round Table and is currently a Rotarian in Warrington. He is a member of Sale Rugby Club. His other interests are family history research, travel, food and wine.
