The Archbishop Sarah has appointed the Reverend Prebendary Clare Dowding as her new Chaplain. Clare will take up the post at the beginning of June.
Clare has served as Rector of St Paul, St Marylebone, an estates-based parish in the heart of Westminster, since 2014. More recently, she has also been Vicar of St Cyprian, Clarence Gate, an Anglo‑Catholic church near Baker Street in west London. Alongside her parish responsibilities, she is Area Dean of St Marylebone and a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral.
In her new role as Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Clare will support the Archbishop’s prayer life and ministry across the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
As well as praying for and with Archbishop Sarah, Clare will support the Archbishop particularly in the pastoral, theological and liturgical aspects of her ministry. She will also oversee the worshipping life at Lambeth Palace.
Before moving to London, Clare ministered in parishes in both the Diocese of Norwich and the Diocese of Manchester, and served as Anglican Chaplain to the Manchester Universities. Prior to her ordained ministry, she worked as a youth and community worker in east London.
The Revd Preb Clare Dowding said: “I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to serve as Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, to pray for Archbishop Sarah as she serves the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. As Chaplain, I will support Archbishop Sarah in her ministry as she encourages the Church to live out our confidence in the Gospel, bring healing to our world, and set our hope on the love of God made known in Jesus Christ.
“Archbishop Sarah begins her ministry with prayer and with a vision for hospitality at the heart of her call. As Chaplain, it will be a joy to shape the life of prayer at Lambeth, to share conversations, to nurture relationships, and to break bread together. I step into this role with the simple desire to uphold Archbishop Sarah in prayer as she responds faithfully to the call of God to serve the Church at this time.”
Archbishop Sarah Mullally said: “I’m delighted that Clare will be joining us at Lambeth Palace as my Chaplain. She brings with her a deep sense that the church's ministry is rooted in place and presence – that, just as Jesus did, we must be among and alongside those we are called to love and serve. Clare has lived out this conviction in parish and estates ministry, as well as chaplaincy and community work. I am very pleased she has chosen to bring these gifts, experiences and perspectives to Lambeth. It was a pleasure to serve alongside her in the Diocese of London, and I am praying for her as she prepares to take on this new role.”
