Roman Catholic Cathedral dean and Harrogate Vicar honoured

Anglicans and Catholics have joined together at a service in Ripon Cathedral to honour a leading Roman Catholic priest and a Harrogate Vicar. During a ceremony attended by several hundred people, Monsignor Philip Moger, Dean of St Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds, and the Revd Paul Hooper, Vicar of St. Mark’s Harrogate were ‘installed’ as Honorary Canons of Ripon Cathedral. The title of Honorary Canon is in the gift of the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer, and only recently have Cathedral statutes been changed to allow the honour to be awarded to someone from a different church denomination. During the ceremony, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd Keith Jukes placed the two new canons in their historic stalls in the Cathedral chancel which they have the right to occupy until retirement. He told the congregation “This is a wonderful evening for the diocese and for this Cathedral community.”

Paul Hooper

Canon Paul Hooper (pictured right with the Dean of Ripon) is Vicar of St Mark’s Harrogate and has served in the diocese for 27 years since becoming a curate at St George’s Church in Leeds in 1981. There he met and later married his wife Judi and the couple have three sons. He later served as Diocesan Youth Officer, followed by eight years as Chaplain to Bishop David Young and Diocesan Communications Officer. However, since 1995 he has been Vicar of St Mark’s, a church which has grown and thrived during his thirteen year ministry there. In 2005 he became Area Dean of Harrogate. Bishop Packer said, “It is a particular delight that Paul has been made an honorary Canon marking his long ministry in the diocese as curate, youth officer, chaplain, communications officer, Vicar and Area Dean. I hope this honour served as an expression of appreciation for the whole ministry of St Mark’s church within the diocese.” Following the service, Canon Hooper said he was delighted by the honour. “It was a surprise and joy to be invited to become a canon and I take it as an affirmation of the ministry I am privileged to have with those at St Mark’s and across the Deanery of Harrogate.”

Philip Moger

The Revd Monsignor Philip Moger (pictured right with the Dean of Ripon) has been Dean of St Anne’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Leeds since September this year, but has had long experience of ecumenical work with those of other churches. He was ordained in 1982 and served at churches in Headingley and at Leeds Cathedral, before becoming Bishop’s Secretary in 2001 and diocesan Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor. In 2004 he moved to Bradford as Parish Priest of Our Lady & First Martyrs of Rome in Heaton and while there worked closely with ecumenical colleagues across the city. He is currently the Catholic Observer on the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission. Bishop Packer said, “We are now able to have canons from other Christian traditions and it is particularly good to have the Dean of Leeds Cathedral as a canon of this Cathedral. It is a delight to welcome Philip here.” Following the service Monsignor Moger said it had been a significant event.” It is a great honour to be asked to be a canon here at Ripon Cathedral and I think it is very significant for ecumenical relations in Yorkshire. I look forward to a long involvement in its life and worship for as long as I am able.”

Minor Canons

During the same service, three ‘minor Cathedral canons’ were also appointed. The Revds Christopher Cornwell and Dr Nicholas Buxton serve as priests at Ripon Cathedral.

Lt Col Bill Emmerson (2nd left with Cathedral clergy) was made an Honorary Minor Canon in recognition of his long years of faithful service at the Cathedral. For over 30 years he advised the Dean and Chapter on the Cathedral’s investments, for many years he was a sidesman and then a Select Vestryman, and has now been accorded Emeritus status.