Welcoming four new Canons to Gloucester Cathedral

Four people have been made ‘Canons’ at Gloucester Cathedral

Being made an Honorary Canon is a recognition that these people have played a role in the wider life of the Church in the area. It is awarded in recognition of long and dedicated service to the local church. Canons become one of 24 members of the ‘College of Canons’ who work to strengthen the links between the Bishop, her Cathedral, and the parishes, and to enrich the life of the diocese.

The new Canons are;

• The Revd Dr Sunkanmi Osunsanmi (Suki) who is Associate Priest of Gloucester St James and All Saints and Christ Church Benefice
• Mrs Adebimpe Osunsanmi (Ade), (Lay Canon)
• Monsignor William Slattery (Liam) who is a priest at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Gloucester (Ecumenical Canon), and
• Superintendent John Hellyer, a Methodist Minister (Ecumenical Canon).

Suki said of his appointment, “I feel thrilled and blessed to see this as an extra intentional purpose to bring more diversities to the Lord’s table. God is intentional in his vision for the world. I am therefore hoping to use this appointment to intentionally intensify our unity in diversity.”

Ade said, “I feel privileged and excited to be installed as a Canon at the Cathedral and can’t wait to contribute as the Lord leads.”

The new Canons were installed at the Evensong service in the Quire of Gloucester Cathedral on Monday 22 March.

Suki is a non-stipendiary priest ordained by the Church of Nigeria- Anglican Communion. He was licensed to the Diocese of Gloucester with permission to officiate in 2016 and as an Associate Priest to the Parish of St James, All Saints and Christchurch in 2019. Suki is also an Associate Chaplain overseeing the African Students Fellowship, UoG, a role in which he is well supported by Ade and their 2 daughters. He is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with the GHC NHS Trust and is a new member of Bishop’s Council. Suki is a school governor for safeguarding and SEN at St James Junior School, Gloucester.

Ade serves with Suki as diocesan link persons in the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns. Ade is part of the worshipping family of St James, All Saints and Christ Church. Outside of church, Ade has a first degree, in mechanical engineering, became a chartered procurement professional with almost twenty years of procurement and supply chain management, experience across various public and private sector organisations in and out of the UK.

Liam was born in Ireland, the second in a family of six boys. Following ordination to the priesthood in 1988, he spent two years chaplain to a third level college before moving to work in the Diocese of Clifton. He has been Assistant Priest in Clifton Cathedral, St Mary’s Swindon, where he was also Parish Priest, before being appointed Parish Priest of St Peter’s Gloucester in 2010. Liam was installed a Canon of Clifton Cathedral Chapter in 2011 and was appointed Vicar General and a Trustee of Clifton Diocese in 2012. Liam became a member of Gloucester Cathedral Council in 2016.

John is married to Mary and they have three children and two grandchildren. He was ordained as a Methodist presbyter in 1984 and has served in urban and inner-city appointments in Bradford and Birmingham. Before moving to Gloucester in September 2019 where he is the Superintendent of the Methodist Gloucestershire Circuit he served as Chair of the South-East Methodist District. During this time, he was the co-chair of the Methodist Anglican Panel for Unity in Mission. He is currently involved in the development of pastoral supervision across the Methodist Church for its ordained ministers and lay workers.