New Canon Theologian appointed
Monday, 20th December 2010
It is announced today (Tuesday 21st December 2010) from 10 Downing Street that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of The Reverend Vernon White as a Canon of Westminster. He will become Canon Theologian in succession to the Reverend Canon Dr Nicholas Sagovsky, who will be leaving the Abbey in January.
Vernon White, who is 57 and was born in south-east London, spent a year working with Voluntary Service Overseas in West Africa, before studying English and Theology at Clare College, University of Cambridge. He then studied at Oriel College, University of Oxford, and trained for the ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He was ordained in 1977 and his first post was as a tutor in doctrine and ethics at Wycliffe Hall. He was a chaplain and lecturer at Exeter University and then Rector of Wotton and Holmbury St Mary and Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of Guildford. He then became Chancellor (Canon Theologian) of Lincoln Cathedral, and Special Lecturer in Theology at Nottingham University.
He has been Principal of the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme at Salisbury since 2001, and was also appointed Honorary Canon Theologian of Winchester Cathedral in 2006.
Canon White, who is married with a son at university, is the author of a number of theological books.
His installation will take place in May 2011, after which he will also be appointed as Visiting Professor in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at King's College London.
