The new Dean of Durham has delivered his inaugural sermon in his new role at his Installation service at the city’s cathedral.

Speaking to a gathering of leading church and civic figures, plus members of the public, the Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming highlighted the significance of pilgrimage, prayer and proclamation in Durham Cathedral’s historic past and future mission.

King Charles III approved the nomination of Dr Plyming as the new Dean earlier this year, to succeed The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, on his ascent to become the Dean of St Paul’s in London.

Read more: Dean of Durham appointed new Dean of St Paul's in London

During the service Dr Plyming was “presented” to the congregation by representatives of St John’s College, Durham, and Cranmer Hall, where he has served as warden since 2017.

Read more: Leading clergyman revealed as new warden of theological college

As Dean, thought to be the 41st since the abolition of the priory at the cathedral during the Reformation in the 16th Century, he heads and chairs the cathedral's Chapter, its ruling body.

Drawing on the example of St Cuthbert and his own experience of pilgrimage, the Dean said that as a place of pilgrimage, the cathedral, “offers to those whose faith is sure and those whose faith is more questions than answers, an invitation to find on the pilgrimage journey that which life is really all about.”

Dr Plyming also spoke about the vocation of the cathedral to share the good news of the Christian faith.

The Northern Echo: The new Dean of Durham, the Very Rev Dr Philip Plyming, with County Durham's Lord Lieutenant, Sue

He said: “In a world where the news often threatens rather than inspires, my heart is for Durham Cathedral to flourish as a place of proclamation, witnessing in word and deed to the good news of God in Jesus Christ.”

Finishing his sermon, the new Dean used a prayer penned by one of his predecessors, Michael Sadgrove. 

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The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, greeted Dr Plyming at Saturday’s (September 16) service.

He said: “I am delighted that Dr Philip Plyming is to be the new Dean of Durham.

“Philip brings pastoral, theological, leadership and missional gifts and experience to the role.

“Clearly, he knows and loves the cathedral and the diocese very well already.

“I am excited at the leadership Philip will bring as the cathedral moves forward in its mission and ministry, especially in relation to younger people and those on the margins of society.”

County Durham’s Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, read the Royal Letters Patent issued by the King, “indicating the Sovereign’s approval” of Dr Plyming as the new Dean.

The service included music chosen by Dr Plyming, including The Call of Wisdom by Will Todd, from Durham, with words by Canon Michael Hampel, the Precentor at the cathedral.

When his appointment was announced, in June, Dr Plyming said: “I thank God for the honour of being appointed to be the next Dean of Durham.

“Since I first worshipped and prayed in the cathedral when I was a student at Durham University, I have known it to be an incredibly special place where people are impressed by the beauty of the building and invited to encounter the living God.

“Inspired by the Christ-like example of St Cuthbert and the Northern saints, I look forward to leading the cathedral’s life and mission in the years to come, so that in its worship and hospitality it continues to be a place of prayer, pilgrimage and proclamation.

“I also look forward to working with all the Chapter, staff and volunteers as together we live out the Cathedral’s historic vocation.”

Dr Plyming is married to Annabelle, who works as a palliative care consultant for a local NHS Trust, and they have two teenage sons.

He enjoys speaking languages, travelling by train and watching cricket.

Dr Plyming served his curacy at Christ Church, Chineham, in Hampshire, an ecumenical church in the Diocese of Winchester, and was ordained priest in 2002.

During his curacy he led a team which ran a popular Youth Alpha course and planted a youth congregation.

In 2006, Dr Plyming was appointed Vicar of Claygate, in the Diocese of Guildford, in Surrey, a church which in 11 years grew from three to five Sunday congregations and also planted a further church nearby.

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He was elected to the General Synod in 2009 and served until 2021, featuring on a range of committees, including the Simplification Task Group.

His appointment to his most recent role, as Warden of Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham, in 2017, saw him teach New Testament and Christian Leadership, while he also hosted the popular podcast Talking Theology.

He was made an Honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral in 2022.