|PIC1|Dr James Rigney (49), an Australian who is presently the Chaplain and Director of Studies in Theology at Magdalene College in the University of Cambridge, will take up the prestigious position of Dean in mid March 2009.
Bishop Farran said, "Dr Rigney is one of the most highly regarded clergy in the Church of England and I am delighted that a priest of the caliber of Dr Rigney, with an equally impressive pastoral reputation as well as an outstanding academic reputation, is to be the Dean of Newcastle."
Dr Rigney has a Doctorate in English Literature from the University of Oxford, having first graduated from the University of Sydney. He has a second Doctorate in Theology from the University of Cambridge.
Dr Rigney will take up the position of Dean of Newcastle following the retirement of Fr Graeme Lawrence who has exercised significant ministry in the community and been the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral for 25 years.
Dr Rigney said, "I am particularly grateful to follow in the footsteps of such a distinguished ministry as that of Dean Graeme Lawrence. I look forward to working with the Cathedral community and the Diocese in carrying forward the mission of the Church in Newcastle."
Bishop Farran said, "Christ Church Cathedral is an icon for the entire Newcastle community, not just for the Anglican Diocese and the congregations of the Cathedral. Dr Rigney is conscious of the inheritance into which he will enter. He comes to Newcastle greatly endorsed by leading figures in the Church of England who already sense his loss to them. Dr Rigney will bring new dimensions to the solid pastoral Cathedral ministries and will relate well to the growing young professional and student populations of inner Newcastle as he has acclaimed experience with students."
Dr Rigney was born in Katoomba and his mother was raised in Adamstown. He was ordained in the Diocese of Ely in England after theological studies at Cambridge. He is married to Anna, an educational administrator and they have one daughter. He enjoys travel, tennis, cycling and cooking.