Canterbury Cathedral has written to staff about the need for a formal consultation on restructuring in order to meet a storm of cumulative financial threats and to secure the Cathedral’s longer-term survival.
Since closing at the start of the UK lockdown, the 1,400-year-old cathedral has lost over £2 million in gross income. Despite being a World Heritage Site, the Mother Church of the Worldwide Anglican Communion and the final resting place of royalty and saints, Canterbury Cathedral is entirely financially independent and receives no direct support from the Church of England or the state. Since March the Cathedral has received no income from visitors, events, its shop or hotel and it will be many months before these areas can start to generate income again.
The cathedral has become familiar to millions around the world during the pandemic due to its daily online services of worship, the daily tolling of the historic bell ‘Harry’ in celebration of frontline workers, and the impromptu appearances from resident cat Leo in the Dean of Canterbury’s videos filmed within the cathedral gardens.
The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Revd. Dr. Robert Willis said, “If everyone who has found comfort in our daily online services or who has enjoyed Leo’s antics over recent days could give a donation, whatever amount, it would help enormously to support our Cathedral community and to sustain this truly special place.”
Those wishing to support Canterbury Cathedral can make a donation at canterbury-cathedral.org/donate.
