Rev Canon Mark Oakley, the current dean of chapel and fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, has been announced as the next Dean of Southwark.
Rev Canon Oakley said he felt “very honoured and a little daunted” to have been given the role.
“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. Our vocation is to embody a sacramental, poetic and just Christian faith that resonates with both joy and integrity. I really look forward to making new friends as we seek to do this together.”
He takes over from Rev Canon Andrew Nunn, who announced his retirement last year following 24 years of serving the cathedral in various different roles. Rev Canon Oakley was ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1993 and has served as chaplain to the Bishop of London and as archdeacon in the Diocese in Europe among other roles.
He also holds a PhD in English Literature and has been awarded both the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing and the Lanfranc Award by the Archbishop of Canterbury, for education and scholarship.
Speaking of the appointment, the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, said Rev Canon Oakley was a “person of depth, insight, and integrity” who will bring “a wealth of priestly experience offered in many different contexts” to the diocese.
He continued: “Before St John’s he was a Canon of St Paul’s following on from service in the Diocese in Europe as Chaplain at Copenhagen and Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe. This variety of experience will equip him well for the prominent role he will now take on as Dean of Southwark and I much look forward to working with him.”
Rev Canon Oakley will be installed Dean at Choral Evensong in Southwark Cathedral on 3rd December.