Cathedral shock as married Dean and her Chancellor both resign

THEY should be preparing for one of their busiest weeks of the year.

But the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and one of her senior priests have both stood down days before Easter.

The Very Rev Christine Wilson has taken a leave of absence ‘for personal reasons’, cathedral officials confirmed – while her Chancellor, Dr Paul Overend, has also agreed to ‘step away’.

One regular worshipper, a 45-year- old teacher who did not wish to be named, said: ‘We’re stunned and baffled. I think the community has a right to know what is going on. It’s rather alarming.’

They told the Daily Telegraph: ‘We were so proud to have our first female dean at the Cathedral and now she’s gone under a cloud. The Church is trying to restore its good name after all these scandals. Let the people know what is going on, and why.’ A Lincoln Cathedral spokesman said: ‘ The community was informed on Sunday that the Dean has taken leave of absence for personal reasons. The congregation was asked to pray for the Dean and her husband. For different reasons, connected to one issue, the Chancellor has also agreed to step back from the ministry. We are unable to comment further.’

An insider said there was no suggestion the pair had been having an affair. Instead, their departure is believed to be linked to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. ‘The issue relates to something concerning [Dr Overend], which the Dean is believed to have become aware of,’ the source said.

In recent years the Diocese of Lincoln has been conducting a review of past conduct, which has led to a number of prosecutions. These include that of former Roy Griffiths, who sexually abused six young boys at the now- defunct Lincoln Cathedral School in the 1960s. The 82-year-old former deputy headmaster was jailed for six years last April.

The Very Rev Wilson, 61, became the Church of England’s eighth female Dean when she joined Lincoln in October 2016. The mother of three entered the ministry in 1997 after a career in finance.

Dr Overend’s role involved leading the cathedral’s work on theology and Christian education. He describes himself on Twitter as a vegan, socialist and husband.

A Church of England spokesman said: ‘A non-recent safeguarding matter reported in the Diocese of Lincoln is being investigated. All appropriate information has been passed on to the police and statutory authorities ... nothing further can be said publicly.’