Appointment of new Canons to St Davids Cathedral
The Dean of St Davids has expressed delight that the Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Revd Dorrien Davies, has appointed a Canon Chancellor and three new Canons for the Cathedral.
The Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones said, ‘I’m delighted that Canon John Cecil will be our new Canon Chancellor. Our three new Canons - the Revds Heather Cale, Jonathan Parker and Ali Reeves - all bring a very welcome breadth of experience from outside the church, alongside ordained life, which will greatly enrich the life of the Cathedral, in its extensive roles.
A Cathedral Chapter member since 2022, Canon John Cecil lives in Steynton with his wife Lorna and one of their two sons, and is the Local Ministry Area Dean of Roose. He is also Diocesan Director of Education, overseeing Church schools in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. This follows a 21 year career in secondary education, concluding as an Assistant Headteacher in Haverfordwest.
Canon John relinquishes his current stall, of the 5th Canon Cursal, on his new appointment, following the resignation of his predecessor, now Canon Chancellor Emeritus Dewi Roberts. ‘Being Canon Chancellor is a great honour’ he says ‘and I look forward to further supporting the life of the Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese.’
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, the Revd Heather Cale moved to Pembrokeshire in 1992, spending the following years largely in education. Ordained in 2014, she continued teaching alongside her priestly ministry, most recently as head of St Mark’s VA Church in Wales Primary School in Merlin’s Bridge. In 2024, she became a vicar in the Daugleddau Local Ministry Area, which she now leads as LMA Dean. Heather has two daughters, Jessica and Rosanna. Responding to her appointment, she said ‘I feel deeply humbled by this appointment. I hope to contribute positively to the Cathedral’s life and work.’ She is appointed as the 6th Canon Cursal.
The Revd Jonathan Parker, who hails from Warwick, has lived in West Wales for most of the last 35 years. He studied at Lampeter where he met his wife Melanie, with whom he has 2 adult children. After work in tourism and social care he trained as a teacher and taught in what was Ysgol Dewi Sant for 12 years. ‘The school’s close connection with the Cathedral, especially on St David’s Day and during Advent, helped me recognise a call to ordination,’ Jonathan says. Ordained in 2017, Jonathan has since served across the Diocese and for several years has been involved in helping others in discerning, and training for, ministry within the church.
He says he now serves a ‘parish of one,’ as Chaplain to Bishop Dorrien. ‘To be a member of Chapter is a great privilege and I hope to play at least small part in the Cathedral’s continuing witness and story.’ The Revd Jonathan Parker is appointed to the Stall of Caerfarchell.
After growing up in rural Bedfordshire, the Revd Ali Reeves left home at 18 and pursued a variety of secular employment roles including with the Army, Ministry of Defence, NHS, construction and a spell as a self-employed complementary therapist. She was ordained in Llandaff Cathedral in 2019, and enjoyed her curacy in Penarth before moving to Afon Nedd Ministry Area as team vicar. She came to St David’s Diocese in 2024, moving to Ammanford to serve as Bro Aman Local Ministry Area Dean. She is supported by her ‘wonderful retired husband Terry’, sharing their home with dog Erin. Revd Ali says ‘I feel honoured to be invited by Bishop Dorrien to become a Canon of St Davids Cathedral and am looking forward to the new challenges that this will bring.’ She is appointed to the stall of the 5th Canon Cursal.
The Canon Chancellor and the three new members of the Dean and Chapter will be licensed by Bishop Dorrien and installed by Dean Sarah during the service of Choral Evensong at 6pm on Thursday 26 March. The service is open to everyone, and all are warmly invited to attend.
