David Monteith was appointed Dean of Canterbury Cathedral in 2022, having previously been Dean of Leicester Cathedral. He kindly gave time for an interview by the Canterbury Society, despite his busy schedule ahead of the enthronement of Archbishop Sarah Mullally on 25 March.
More than 1400 years since the Cathedral’s foundation, you are the 40th Dean since the Reformation. Do you feel the weight of that history and tradition?
Naturally I feel the weight, but mostly from a sense of continuity. Working in old places with so many predecessors and significant historical characters, I find it best to befriend these ghosts rather than let them haunt me. We’re all just passing through and trying to do our best as required at any given time.
‘Lux Muralis’ Event
New types of event have been held in the Cathedral recently, such as the ‘silent disco’ and the graffiti exhibition. How would you like to see it used to reach out to younger people, as well as to visitors in general?
A medieval cathedral like ours is still here because it has continued to make living connections with our communities and stakeholders whilst holding true to the daily pattern of prayer and worship and our calling to live and proclaim the Christian faith. I want to keep trying to make the place both glorious and accessible for everyone from every faith, culture and background. I want people to be transformed in some way so that we see and understand our lives in a fresh light, especially to glimpse more of God’s love for us all.
In addition to being in charge of around 250 staff, you head over 500 volunteers. In what ways can local people contribute?
I think the story we tell really matters. I’ve heard quite a lot of people saying negative things about the town and the cathedral. Both have problems but we start with the positive. We will get what we say and become what we say. I’d love people to be proud of here and help to love the place and help it flourish in our time, not as once was.
As a member of the Chapter and Senior Leadership Team, you have important responsibilities for the Cathedral’s upkeep and operation. What are the greatest challenges currently?
We are now a registered charity and we are still learning how to do that well, ensuring compliance and professionalism. We are aware of millions of pounds of repairs required and there are fewer people, trusts and foundations able to help. Staff costs rise but takings at the gate and as gifts stagnate. Finally, the safeguarding crisis has magnified suspicion about the church. I’ve been called a ‘paedo’ on a number of occasions here in Canterbury as I’ve gone to buy a pint of milk, so the context for clergy to minister is not always great.
The biggest event for the Cathedral in almost a quarter-century is the enthronement of a new Archbishop of Canterbury. It will be attended by royalty, bishops and other VIPs. What preparations are being made?
There are in-person and on-line meetings every day. Many players are involved from here but also from Lambeth Palace and the Anglican Communion Office. It is a very full kitchen and at times, perhaps, it is unclear what the cake is that we are actually baking! It will have an impact on the town, and we hope that there will be media coverage to entice more visitors and pilgrims. What a moment to welcome the first female archbishop in a 1500-year succession!
St Augustine’s Chair
Could you outline the ceremony for us? What role will you play?
It is a symbolic occasion since the archbishop is already in post and working. She will knock on the cathedral door and seek admission. We will hear a mandate from the King to install her. She will renew her ordination promises and then be installed in the Diocesan Cathedra (bishop’s chair) by the Archdeacon of Canterbury. Then, as Dean, I will install her into the Chair of Augustine as Primate of England and Instrument of Unity for the Anglican Communion. She will preach and we will pray and sing and rejoice, with the Cathedral Choir leading us and a congregation of over 2000 people from all over the world.
As Dean of Leicester Cathedral, in 2015 you supervised the interment there of King Richard III, whose body was famously discovered beneath a car park in 2012. Canterbury also has the body of a king: Henry IV. Do you think St Thomas Becket might be somewhere as well?
I don’t know but it would be great to make a second such find! I find it hard to believe that the monks had not already hidden him before the iconoclasm began. One of our problems is that we have bones buried everywhere here so any subsequent analysis would have to be very convincing. I’d like to see some kind of digital imagery of his tomb so that people could grasp it a bit more than simply seeing the stark lit candle which marks the site of the shrine today.
The Dean and dog Barney in the Cathedral cloisters
Finally, you probably have very little free time, but how do you like to spend it?
Walking the dog on Whitstable beach followed by a pint or fish and chips helps recalibrate life. My partner and I love theatre and opera but only can afford to go occasionally. I also highly recommend dead heading roses at 6:30 am with a cup of coffee in the other hand as a great entrée to the day.
Thank you so much for answering our questions Dean! The Canterbury Society wishes you well in all your work ahead.