New Dean of Llandaff announced

A senior cleric from Oxford has been appointed as the new Dean of Llandaff. Canon Richard Peers, the Sub Dean at Christ Church Oxford, will be installed as Dean of Llandaff at 3pm on Sunday 20th November 2022.

Canon Richard has had a long connection with the Church in Wales, leading retreats, preaching, and teaching across Wales. Richard has undertaken education consultancy in Church in Wales’ schools and assists as an adviser in change management to clergy. He is an Honorary Canon of St Asaph Cathedral.

“I am delighted to have been invited by Bishop June to be the next Dean of Llandaff,” says Canon Richard Peers. “The Church in Wales and Llandaff Cathedral have had an important place in my heart for many years. I look forward to praying, working, and living in Llandaff as part of the strong team in the Cathedral.

“This is an exciting time for the Church in Wales and for Llandaff Diocese and Cathedral. The Cathedral is a place where faith matters and I will be glad to lead the Cathedral as it further develops the diocesan vision to tell a joyful story, grow the kingdom of God, and build the capacity for good of churches across the Diocese.”

“I look forward to living in joyful, confident abundance with the community at Llandaff and with the clergy and laity of the Diocese. Jesus calls us his friends and friendship with Jesus is at the heart of who I am as a person, I will be glad to renew old friendships and make new friends across the Diocese.”

As Dean of Llandaff, Canon Richard will lead Llandaff Cathedral in its mission and ministry and will become an integral part of the bishop’s leadership team.

Announcing Canon Richard’s appointment, the Bishop of Llandaff, June Osborne, says, “I am delighted to welcome Canon Richard Peers to be the next Dean of Llandaff. Richard brings a wealth of experience which will enrich the life of the Cathedral and make a significant contribution to the life of the Diocese.

“With his immense experience as priest, spiritual advisor and sub dean, Richard is ideally placed to further develop Llandaff Cathedral’s reputation as a place of excellent worship and thriving choral tradition. This is an exciting time in the life of the Cathedral, and I am looking forward to welcoming him to the Diocese.”

Giving thanks for his time at Christ Church, Canon Richard says, “It has been an immense privilege and deep joy to minister as Sub Dean at Christ Church during recent challenging years.

“The team at Christ Church Cathedral is resourceful and resilient and I will miss working with my friends and colleagues in this beautiful and sacred space.

“Christ Church is a wonderful and unique institution and it will be very much in my thoughts and prayers as it conducts the Governance Review and fulfils its vocation as a Joint Foundation in the University and in the Diocese.

“I am profoundly grateful to Bishop Steven, the College academic staff and to all who have provided support and care in my ministry here.”

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE IMMENSE GIFTS AND EXPERIENCE THAT RICHARD WILL BRING

Archdeacon Mike Komor, Acting Dean of Llandaff, offered his congratulations to the new Dean saying, “On behalf of the Cathedral Chapter I am delighted that Canon Richard has accepted the Bishop’s invitation to be the new Dean of Llandaff. We greatly appreciate the immense gifts and experience that Richard will bring to ensure that Llandaff Cathedral reaches its full potential to serve the people of Wales."

Archdeacon Mike Komor will continue his role as Acting Dean until Canon Richard is installed at Dean of Llandaff in November.

Looking ahead to starting his new role, Canon Richard says, “Llandaff Cathedral is uniquely placed to be at the heart of Wales’ capital and its national life. Forging relationships across this diverse city with other faith communities, business and politics will be an important part of my work. Developing Llandaff Cathedral as a visitor destination where tourists can become pilgrims and where people of all faiths and none find a home is part of God’s call to us in the twenty-first century.”

Born in Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Canon Richard Peers trained and worked as a teacher before being ordained in 1993. He became the Sub Dean at Christ Church, Oxford in September 2020; a joint foundation of a University of Oxford college, and the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Oxford. Before moving to Oxford, Richard was Director of Education for the Diocese of Liverpool and CEO of Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust. He has long exercised a combined ministry in education and as a priest.

Canon Richard spent eight years as the head teacher of Trinity All Through School, Lewisham, in London, and has served in parishes in the Dioceses of York, Portsmouth, Lichfield and Southwark. In addition, he was a founder and first Superior of the Sodality of Mary, Mother of Priests, a dispersed community of Anglican priests with members around the world. He has advised other new, emerging expressions of community life in the church.

Richard has extensive experience as a Spiritual Director, retreat giver and leader of pilgrimages many in Wales. He has been practising meditation, now commonly known as mindfulness, for the whole of his adult life. He is much influenced by Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton, and the Russian Philokalia.

Richard lives with his partner Jim, a garden writer, and their dog Teilo. Gardens and garden design are a significant part of their life together