THE priest in charge at Grimsby Minster is to be made a Canon.
The Reverend Andrew Dodd, Area Dean for North East Lincolnshire, will be one of four Canons installed during a special service at Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday evening.
He will become one of the cathedral's non-residential canons, whose role is to support the governance of the cathedral.
Mr Dodd will also be required to preach several times a year at the cathedral.
Despite the additional workload, he has insisted that his job at the Minster, where he took over the reins from Canon Michael Hunter in September last year, will be unaffected.
He said: "My job here in Grimsby will not change.
"This is an honour that is bestowed on an individual and a parish by the cathedral.
"It is about supporting and working more closely with the cathedral, which is going to be a good thing for Grimsby."
Mr Dodd said he was thrilled at the prospect of receiving the honour, which he described as a "vote of confidence".
He added: "It is not about me as an individual.
"It is saying that the valuable work we have been doing here at the Minster has been recognised by the diocese."
Mr Dodd added that he is delighted that a bus-load of churchgoers from the parish will be attending the service at the weekend.
Reflecting on his first year at the Minster, he added: "It's been absolutely wonderful.
"It's a real honour to be here.
"It's been quite challenging at times, but something I am thoroughly enjoying and I look forward to being here a great deal longer."
The service takes place at Lincoln Cathedral at 5.30pm on Saturday.
