Speaker’s Chaplain installed as Canon of Westminster
Monday, 10th May 2021
The Reverend Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, was installed as a Canon of Westminster during Evensong at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 9th May 2021.
The service was attended by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons.
At the Installation, the Receiver General of the Abbey, Paul Baumann, presented and read The Queen's Grant and Mandamus in the presence of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster and the Collegiate body.
Canon Hillas read the Latin Declaration and was led to her vacant stall in the Quire of the Abbey church by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.
During the service, the Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon-in Residence, read Song of Solomon 4:16-5:2; 8:6-7; and the Dean read Revelation 3: 14-22.
The sermon was preached by the Dean who said: ‘Today we reunite two offices that have been held apart for the last ten years - Chaplain to Mr Speaker and Canon of Westminster. We rejoice and we can note that we have been debating just how this relationship works for a very long time. Today we celebrate a renewed unity of purpose. I am delighted to thank Mr Speaker and his colleagues for getting us to this place and I welcome Tricia to the Abbey.’
The service was sung by the full Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell, Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist. The service was also attended by robed members of the College of Westminster Abbey.
