New Canons of the Cathedral Announced

Congratulations to the eight newly appointed Canons of Manchester Cathedral, recognised for their dedicated service to the Diocese of Manchester and the wider Church. Pictured above (from top left) are:

• The Revd Canon Andrew Bradley
• The Revd Canon Kirsty Screeton
• The Revd Canon Helen Scanlan
• The Revd Canon Sue Walker
• Canon Jess Leaf
• Canon Donna Myers
• Canon Rosemary H Taylor
• The Revd Canon Jonathan Bramwell

Bishop David has made the appointments in consultation with the Dean and Chapter. Please pray for the new Canons as they prepare for their installation at a service at the Cathedral on 28th September 2026.

It is customary for the title of Canon to be used from the date of appointment.

Read more about each of the new Canons below:

Honorary Canons

Revd Canon Andrew Bradley

Andrew has long and distinguished service at the Christie Hospital managing the Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Service, including hosting a recent royal visit. He is Bishop’s Advisor for Healthcare Chaplaincy, and contributes to national work on chaplaincy as North West Representative for the College of Healthcare Chaplaincy. Andrew does all this alongside his role as Incumbent of St Wilfrid’s, Northenden.

Revd Canon Kirsty Screeton

Kirsty is a Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, Mission Community Leader, Chaplain to the Mothers’ Union, and Incumbent of St John and St Luke, Heywood. She also chairs the governing boards of both St Luke’s CE Primary School, Heywood, and Holy Family RC/CE College, and is actively involved in supporting schools and young people across the parish. Alongside these roles, she has also maintained a long-standing commitment to Girlguiding.

Revd Canon Helen Scanlan

Helen has worked as an Area Dean in Manchester North and East, championing the inclusion of all across the socio-economic mix.  She served for a time as an Assistant Archdeacon and is currently Incumbent of Denton, Christ Church and Denton, St Lawrence.

Revd Canon Sue Walker

Sue serves as Focal Leader of St Margaret’s Prestwich and is an SSM who has volunteered in HMP Manchester for many years. As an active Third Order Franciscan, she is the Franciscan Area Minister for the Mersey Valley Area and a Novice Guardian. She has also supported many ordinands and others both as a Spiritual Director and placement supervisor.

Lay Canons

Canon Jess Leaf

Jess is a coordinator of SPICE (Clergy Spouses and Partners Group) and an ALM in Children and Family Ministry at Emmanuel (St George) Chadderton, as well as being an ALM Facilitator and a member of Bishop’s Council. She is active in promoting vocations, serving as a Bishop’s Advisor in the shared discernment process and a facilitator of the Ministry Exploration Group. 

Canon Donna Myers

Donna always goes above and beyond what is required or expected of a Registrar. Since joining HLF Berry Solicitors in 2008, she has provided trusted legal advice to the diocese through the Diocesan Registry. She became Deputy Registrar in 2018 and was appointed Diocesan Registrar in 2022. Donna carries a large and varied workload, which she always approaches professionally. Drawing on her almost 18 years of experience in ecclesiastical and canon law, and secular charity law, she advises with a pastoral heart and is engaging and personable with a witty and cheerful disposition.

Canon Rosemary H Taylor

Rosemary has, for 25 years, been a proactive member of the Mothers’ Union, a movement which is central to the mission and ministry of the Church of England and Anglican Communion. She is currently on the Mothers’ Union Diocesan Board of Trustees and is a brand ambassador, in addition to being responsible for communications including social media and newsletters.

She is also dedicated to service in the Girlguiding organisation, having been a member since she was seven, and has held a variety of additional roles alongside her regular unit meetings with Guides and Rangers. Her work with children and young people extends to her church family, where she leads family services and Campfire Church.

Ecumenical Canon

Revd Canon Jonathan Bramwell

During his time as Head of Clergy Development for the Diocese, Jonathan greatly progressed IME 2. Since moving to become Senior Minister at Hazel Grove Baptist Church, he has continued his involvement with the diocese. This includes being a Chaplain to the Diocesan Conference, where he also contributed to the music, and leading the Worship and Liturgy session on music for the Lay Course training.