The Dean will be leading worship again at Sunday’s services in the Cathedral after an absence of several months.
The Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy was suspended in November last year after a complaint was brought against him and referred to a tribunal. However, last week it was announced that the tribunal judge had not upheld any of the charges against the Dean.
The Dean resumed his duties on Tuesday on his return from holiday. On Sunday 1 September he will be preaching at Matins at 9.45 am, and he will both preach and preside at Choral Eucharist at 11am.
The Sub Dean of Christ Church, Canon Edmund Newey, said: “I am delighted that the Tribunal has concluded its work and that the Cathedral's ministry can now return to its proper place under the Dean's leadership. We all very much look forward to Martyn's return to our worshipping life when he preaches and presides at the morning services this Sunday. This will be an occasion of great joy for the whole Cathedral community.
“The past year has presented huge challenges, above all for Martyn and his family, but also for everyone in and around Christ Church. I am particularly proud of the way in which our staff team and volunteers have offered their prayer and support through these difficult times. Together we have been able to further our core purposes of worship and the service of God's people in the three counties of our diocese and beyond.
We have all drawn strength from the support offered by so many of those who look to Christ Church as a home and would ask for their continued prayers in the weeks and months to come as we begin working together again.”
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, has also welcomed the news of the Dean’s return.
“I am delighted to learn that this matter is now resolved,” he said last week.
“I look forward to seeing Martyn return to the Cathedral and his duties as Dean of Christ Church. This news will be widely welcomed across the Diocese of Oxford. These have been testing times for all involved, and my prayers are with Martyn and Emma, the Chapter and wider College in the coming months.”
All are most welcome at Sunday’s services in the Cathedral.
