Welcome our new Canon Precentor

  • News
  • 24 December 2023
Welcome our new Canon Precentor

The Dean and Chapter are delighted announce the appointment of Dr Ian Jorysz as Canon Precentor at Manchester Cathedral.

Canon Jorysz has served as the Bishop of Manchester’s Chaplain since 2015 and already holds a position as Honorary Canon at Manchester Cathedral.   

He said: “I came to Manchester Diocese in 2015 as Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Manchester, having previously been an incumbent in Essex. 

“The Cathedral’s ministry has always impressed me as it serves the Bishop, Diocese and City in so many different and imaginative ways.  It has been my privilege to have been an Honorary Canon during this period, being able to contribute in a small way to its ministry. 

“Now I am hugely looking forward to playing a greater role as Precentor, both supporting the Cathedral in its busy round of services and also in its wider mission to be a place where Christ’s love is made manifest.”

In his role as Canon Precentor, Canon Jorysz will help to shape the daily, weekly and special liturgies for our diverse congregation and city, working alongside our small but committed clergy team and world-renowned music department.

He will begin his role as Canon Precentor in April 2024.

In a further change to the Cathedral clergy team, Canon Nigel Ashworth will retire from his role as Canon Pastor and Acting Canon Precentor at the end of February 2024.

Since joining the Cathedral from St Ann’s Church in November 2022, Canon Nigel has overseen huge events such as celebrations to mark the Coronation of King Charles III, a service to mark 75 years of the NHS and of course the upcoming Christmas Day Eucharist Live on BBC One.

Canon Nigel will take up a House for Duty role at Chichester Cathedral in March 2024.

Dean of Manchester Rogers Govender said: “It is an exciting time of change for our clergy team at Manchester Cathedral. We are enormously excited to welcome Canon Ian Jorysz to the team and look forward to the enormous amount of experience he will bring to the role.

“I would also like to thank Canon Nigel for his service to the Cathedral. His role here has been a busy one and we are thankful for the grace, good humour and dedication he has brought to the team during this time.”