Press release from 10 Downing Street. Further information on the Guildford diocesan website.
The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Robert Gerard Cooper, Archdeacon of Sunderland, in the Diocese of Durham, to be appointed as Dean of Guildford.
Appointment of Dean of Guildford: 3 October 2024
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 3 October 2024The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Robert Gerard Cooper, Archdeacon of Sunderland, in the Diocese of Durham, to be appointed as Dean of Guildford, in succession to The Very Reverend Dianna Gwilliams, following her retirement.
Background
Bob was educated at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and trained for ministry at Lincoln Theological College.
Ordained as Priest in 1994, he served his title at St Mary, Whitkirk, in the Diocese of Ripon. From 1998, he served as Vicar St Matthew, Lightcliffe, in the Diocese of Wakefield (now the Diocese of Leeds) and in 2005, he was appointed as Vicar St Giles and St Mary, Pontefract. From 2006, Bob additionally served as Area Dean.
In 2018, Bob took up his current role as Archdeacon of Sunderland, in the Diocese of Durham.
Congratulations to Bob! He is an excellent priest. He is not afraid to grasp nettles (and there are plenty to be grasped in Guildford), and I think he will do a fine job. My only prayer is that fine wine in Northern vineyards travels south well!
It can’t be easy for someone to move from one of the most deprived areas in the country to one of the richest. Although Jesus said it’s hard for a rich man to enter heaven, hopefully Bob will find it challenging after leaving the poor behind, to convert the wealthy, telling them to leave their Jaguars and gin and tonics behind.
There are some serious areas of deprivation in Guildford in Park Barn & Bellfields, never mind around the wider Diocese including Aldershot. The later which was in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. Believe me – wealth is far from evenly spread. The Cathedral is also located next to the University and Royal Surrey Hospital. The Diocese is very conservative in its outlook and typically the Cathedral has been an inclusive sanctuary for those less welcome in other Churches. Much to keep the Dean busy. Must also mention, there is a quiet generosity in Guildford that the new… Read more »