As the Acting Dean of Christchurch (since May this year), I am absolutely delighted by Bishop Peter Carrell’s appointment of The Rev. Canon Ben Truman as the 15th Dean of Christchurch. I know Ben reasonably well, and have gotten to know him better in my current role as he is a member of Chapter (which is the governance body of the Cathedral). Ben is a person of integrity, intelligent, insightful, caring, is competent in te Reo Māori, has a good sense of humour, relates well to all ages, and has strong leadership expertise. Especially through his seven years on Chapter, he comes with a firm grasp on the potentials and issues of ChristChurch Cathedral – the Cardboard Transitional one and the post-quakes reinstatement project in the Square. With at least a ten-year timeframe for his time as Dean, he will be part of fine-tuning the Square’s Cathedral details such as its wonderful auxiliary-buildings’ potentials. He will lead the Transitional Cardboard Cathedral in the inner-city at a time of significant population growth in this area, with vibrant post-quakes building activity. He will lead the community’s return to its restored home in the Square, currently on track for four years from now.
Ben is currently the Vicar of Opawa-St Martins and Chaplain of St. Mark’s School. He has been there since 2017, and will be sorely missed when he moves. He takes up his role as Dean in December. I continue in my interim leadership of the Cathedral until then.
Ben was born in Greymouth. He studied at the University of Otago, graduating with a degree in history and theatre studies, a diploma in theatre, a degree in theology, and a diploma in teaching.
Ben taught at Burnside High School for three years. Then he went to St. John’s College in Auckland, was ordained, and served his curacy in the Parish of Lincoln.
He is married to Johannah Truman, and they have three young children, Edward (4), Toby (2), and Thomas (1). At the age of 38, Ben will be the youngest ever dean here.
I ask you to join me in praying for Ben, his family, the Cathedral, and the Parish of Opawa-St Martin.
More reports here, here, and here.
