Vicar made a Canon at York Minster (From The Advertiser Series)

3:01pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010

A VICAR has followed in his wife’s footsteps as he has been made a canon at York Minster by the Archbishop of York.

The Rev Richard Rowling, of St Mary’s Church, Thirsk, received the title in a ceremony nine years after his wife Cathy Rowling.

He was appointed to the Prebend of Bole in the College of Canons making him the Rev Canon Richard Rowling in January 2010.

He said: "The roles are appointed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and I was very surprised but it was a pleasant surprise.

"My wife left the role in February last year to take up a new job outside the diocese.

"I think it is the first time ever in the history of the Church of England that a husband has inherited the title off his wife."

After the service he became a member of the College of Canons in a private ceremony in York Minster’s Chapter House.

Mrs Rowling was appointed to the role in 2001 when she worked on the Archbishop of York’s staff as a dean in the women’s ministry.

Upon taking up a role in the church’s regional learning partnership in the diocese of Lindisfarne but she has remained a canon emeritus.

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