The Reverend Paul Arbuthnot appointed Minor Canon and Sacrist of Westminster

He will be installed on Sunday 13th September at Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:

We shall be delighted to welcome Paul Arbuthnot as Minor Canon and Sacrist in September. He has excellent experience in a similar role at St Albans Abbey and will bring with him strong links with Ireland north and south of the border.

He will join a thriving team of clergy and lay people who ensure that the daily worship, special services and occasional offices, the foundation of the Abbey's ministry and mission, are of the highest quality. He and his wife Emma will become valued members of the Abbey community.

The Reverend Paul Arbuthnot said:

From the Shrine of the Proto-Martyr of Britain to the House of Kings and Shrine of St Edward the Confessor. Two ancient Benedictine foundations centred on the offering of Divine Worship and "given to hospitality". What a privileged pilgrimage.

The Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John said:

Father Paul and Emma have been a tremendous asset to St Albans Cathedral, and we shall miss them a lot. Paul has a superb voice and all the skills and flair that the job requires, as well as a pastoral heart. He and Emma are kind, hospitable and fun – I hope the younger Abbey down the road will like them as much as we have.

Before joining St Albans Cathedral in October 2012, the Reverend Paul Arbuthnot was Curate Assistant at St Paul's Church, Glenageary in the Diocese of Dublin and Gledalough in the Church of Ireland. He was also Honorary Chancellor's Vicar at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

He is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and is married to Emma, who holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin in Medieval Irish History and who works in the Central Secretariat of the Archbishops' Council and General Synod in Church House Westminster.