Canon
John, though born in central London, was raised in Croydon and ordained in
the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Croydon, in 1972. His first two
curacies were at Whitstable and Camberwell; he was then, in 1978, appointed
to St. John's Seminary, Wonersh. Here he stayed for the next 13 years, with
a two-year secondment to the Pontifical University of Maynooth to study Moral
Theology. In 1991 he was appointed Parish Priest of Holy Innocents, where
he quickly proved not just his spiritual, but his physical, fitness, by running
a half-marathon which raised £3,000 for the work of the Homeless Group.
The following year he became the Director of the Permanent Diaconate Programme
for the Diocese. This is a post he held until June 2004. In November 2004
Archbishop Kevin appointed him Dean of the Bromley Deanery. He also serves
on the Chapter of Canons, as Canon Penitentiary, is the Chairman of the Council
of Priests and an Advocate of the Southwark Tribunal.
Canon John was Parish Priest at Holy Innocents from 1991 to 2008.