A New Archdeacon

An email from the diocese announces a new archdeacon in succession to Peter Delaney, who retires on 1 June: 62 year old David Meara of St Bride's, Fleet Street, takes over from 70 year old Peter Delaney. David is a splendid man, a scholar, a gentleman, a fellow antiquary and an authority on monumental brasses. He has certainly carried on the work of his excellent predecessor, John Oates, but is he the right choice for Archdeacon of London?

I would say not, and I do so for a number of reasons. First, we had only heard rumours of Peter Delaney's retirement up until today's announcement, and there has been no consultation with the City clergy about the qualities needed in an archdeacon, or even if the diocese has the right job description. There have been a number of archidiaconal jobs advertised recently, as well as cathedral jobs, with really excellent job descriptions - and they were advertised so that anyone could apply.

Second, before Peter's appointment, George Cassidy was Archdeacon; he was 45 and became a bishop 12 years later; Peter was already 60 when he was appointed. This means that our archdeacons are getting older, but the City is a vibrant place full of younger people. The mean age of our congregation is under 40. Instead of having an older archdeacon heading for retirement, we needed a younger archdeacon who would gain experience here and then move to greater things.

Third, George Cassidy was both Archdeacon of London and a canon of St Paul's. He was outside of the City clergy and able to take a more detached view. Peter Delaney came from among us, and David Meara does the same. Being of the City clergy doesn't help them and it certainly confuses the role of archdeacon and area dean, both of whom are drawn from the City clergy.

Finally, the Bishop of London is a big man in many senses, with many ideas that are forcefully expressed. It seems to me that he needs an Archdeacon, who might also be his Chief of Staff, who can tell him, sometimes, that he is wrong. A new archdeacon coming from outside the City, better still from outside the Diocese and outside London, would have brought fresh insights and new vigour to the Diocese and the City.

One of the real excitements about Monday's election is having fifteen new members of the Court of Common Council, an influx that will change the dynamic and encourage fresh ideas and questioning of old certainties. I believe that is something to be encouraged, but in the Diocese of London it looks like business as usual and no rocking the boat.