N.b. Sheffield Cathedral released the following statement on its website after services today. The dean has been a focus of controversy after he sacked the choir earlier this year, seeking to bring make the cathedral’s worship music modern and relevant to Britain’s changing culture.
At the end of the service at Sheffield Cathedral this morning, the Dean of Sheffield, the Very Revd Peter Bradley, announced his resignation from the role of Dean.
He said:
“It is with great regret that I tell you that I have resigned as Dean of Sheffield, with effect from 31 December 2020. I know this will come as a shock. You may be aware of the tremendous pressure I have been under over recent weeks which has seriously affected my health. After prayerful reflection and conversations with people who know me well, including the Bishop, I have decided that the time has come for me to move on. I love the Cathedral, our City and our Diocese. I hope that together the Cathedral, City and Diocese, and prayer, that there will be a thriving future and I am confident of that great future under God. It has been a great privilege to have served as Dean of Sheffield since 2003, as it happens today is the 17th anniversary of my installation and I want to thank you all for the support and love you have given me.”
In response to the news the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Pete Wilcox said:
“Cathedral Chapter has faced many issues this year with the pandemic, the fire and the difficult challenges over the summer in relation to the future of choral music and Dean Peter has been under extreme stress for a prolonged period. I was therefore not surprised to have received his resignation, with effect from 31 December 2020.
Dean Peter has given himself wholeheartedly to his ministry as Dean of Sheffield for 16 years. During that time, the Cathedral has been transformed, not least by the Gateway project, so that it can realise more fully its vision to be a place for all people. His contribution to the College of Deans, the General Synod, and Sheffield’s public and civic life has been considerable and valued by many people. I support Peter’s decision to resign and wish to place on record my thanks to him for all the support and encouragement he has offered me as the Bishop of Sheffield during the past three years.”Share
