Bishop Philip will instal four new honorary canons at Truro Cathedral in one of his last acts before leaving the diocese.

A special choral evensong on Sunday will see Revd Steve Morgan and Revd Chris McQuillen-Wright admitted as clergy canons, and Esme Page and Sarah McLachlan admitted as lay canons.

Honorary canons are created in recognition of an individual’s exceptional service and contribution to the Church and their communities.

Each canon occupies a stall in the cathedral quire. The clergy canons’ stalls are named after Cornish saints, and the lay canons’ stalls named after the Apostles.

The Right Reverend Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, said: “We are blessed by many gifted, creative and prayerful people in Cornwall, and the new honorary canons are four of the best. I am delighted that they will be part of the Cathedral’s ministry in this way and pray for God’s blessing on each of them.”

The Reverend Steve Morgan is the former Rural Dean of West Wivelshire and Rector of Liskeard with St Keyne. A keen sailor who has spent time at sea both in Tall Ships and in the Royal Navy, he now works as European Director of the Mission for Seafarers.

He lives in Millbrook in south-east Cornwall, and having previously worked with homeless people and refugees, he describes himself as being “passionate about bringing the life changing love of Jesus to those on the margins”.

The Reverend Chris McQuillen-Wright serves as vicar to the Benefice of Towan Blystra, which includes St Michael the Archangel Church in Newquay, St Colan Church, St Columba Church and St Newlina Church. He was educated in St Austell, and has previously served in team ministries in Hayle and Bodmin. Before his ordination in 1995, he worked for the National Children’s Home.

Sarah McLachlan has been actively involved in the life of Truro Cathedral for some years. She serves the Church as a volunteer across a range of areas, from the Pastoral Care Network Team to Truro Cathedral Music and “everything in between”.

She describes herself as “shocked but beyond thrilled” to have been nominated for the role of lay canon at the Cathedral. “It is a joy, a blessing in my life, and an enormous privilege to work with staff and other volunteers.”

Described by the national press as an “inspirational champion”, Esmé Page is founder, trustee and chair of Cornwall Hugs, a charity originally established to offer respite breaks in Cornwall for the bereaved, survivors and firefighters from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. During the pandemic, it sourced accommodation for care workers in order to help to protect their families, care home residents and staff.

As a chorister parent, Esmé designed innovative outreach projects for Truro Cathedral Choir, including the global Sing2G7 initiative, UNICEF CrowdFunders and Chorister Mega Zoom Assemblies, gathering thousands of children to sing and explore faith together online.

“I’m excited by the Dean’s vision for the cathedral as a hub for the whole of the Cornish community,” she said. “I’m also passionate about the choir’s capacity to bridge into that community, touching people across the county, and beyond, with its heavenly music.”

View the service live on Sunday at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt7OZmabaAY