RURAL DEAN NEW REPRESENTATIVE ON CATHEDRAL CHAPTER - Archived

The Reverend Canon Richard Franklin, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Weymouth has joined Chapter, the governing body of Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury Cathedral’s College of Canons have elected the Revd Canon Richard Franklin as one of their two representatives on Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body. Richard retains his parish responsibilities as Vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth within the Salisbury Diocese, where he has been for the last twelve years.

Ordained in the Diocese of Oxford as a Deacon in 1978 and priest in 1979, Richard moved to the Salisbury Diocese in 1989 when he was Priest in Charge in Stalbridge, North Dorset. In his present post as Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Weymouth which he has held since 1994, the Revd Canon Franklin has the care of a large town centre population and oversight of a major refurbishment of the church. Richard also holds a number of other roles within the Diocese. In 2004 he was appointed Rural Dean of Weymouth. He is European Officer to the Bishop of Salisbury, a post he has held since 1998 and has been chair of the Marriage and Sexuality Committee.

The Revd Canon Richard Franklin is married to Clare and they have one grown-up daughter. Interested in opera, theatre and playing tennis, Richard is strongly committed to working towards the ending of poverty and injustice throughout the world.

Installed as a non-residentiary Canon of Salisbury Cathedral in 2002, Richard is delighted with his new role as one of the College of Canon’s representatives on the Cathedral Chapter. “Salisbury Cathedral is a great spiritual home for me, especially since I lived in the shadow of its spire in my two formative years of training for the priesthood. I have increasingly come to believe that cathedrals, and this cathedral in particular, represent a vital focal point for a form of religious life which is deeply rooted in Christian traditions, but which is open and accessible to all. To be a part of this project is a great honour and pleasure, as it will be to work with an excellent group of colleagues!”

Notes:
- Cathedral Canons are members of a body known as, "The College of Canons". This was established in July 2001 under the new Cathedral Statutes. Canons can be both ordained priests or lay persons. Through the College of Canons the Cathedral can express its commitment to the wider community, and in particular diocesan and civic life in the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset. The College meets twice a year and helps to provide feedback to the Cathedral on its activities and, through representing a wide range of interests and opinions, helps to inform the policy decisions of the Cathedral.