Anglican Vicar Challenges Cathedral Dean Over Inappropriate Public Islamic Prayers in Manchester Cathedral and Receives an Apology

Apr 13, 2023 by Jill

By David W. Virtue, DD, VOL:

In a series of exchanges with a young orthodox Anglican vicar, the Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Rogers Govender was exposed for telling untruths about inappropriate public Islamic prayers in the cathedral, and his condescending attitude towards the young priest. The Dean later apologized for his actions.

The Rev. Matthew Firth is a neuro-scientist and full-time stipendiary vicar and Diocesan Church Planter for the Northern Diocese of the Free Church of England.

Here is the exchange:

FIRTH: Last night you allowed public Islamic prayers in Manchester Cathedral. It was utterly inappropriate and was a slap in the face to Jesus, to Christians here, and to Christians around the world who are persecuted by Islam. Please repent and make a public apology.

DEAN ROGERS GOVENDER: Your seeming demand for an apology is interesting. Please be aware that all communities gather in the Cathedral for inter-faith events. Prayers for the Iftar last evening were held in Cathedral Gardens, followed by the breaking of their fast in the Cathedral afterwards. No inappropriate Islamic prayers were held in the Cathedral. I suggest you visit the local mosque in your parish and build friendships. The call to prayer is a proclamation of the Muslim faith which should have been said in Cathedral Gardens. I apologized that this took place in the cathedral. I humbly apologize for not acknowledging this to you.

FIRTH: I made no demand, but thank you for your apology nonetheless. It’s presumptuous of you to assume that you have any insight at all into my connections with local Muslims. I encourage you to understand that friendship and hospitality does not require un-Christian public prayer in consecrated spaces.

FIRTH continued… If, as you claimed in response to my complaint, no inappropriate Islamic prayers happened in the cathedral, how come you have now apologized for such prayers taking place in the cathedral? Do you not now need to correct the record with me and apologize for your misleading response?

The CHURCH TIMES reported that the Chapter of Manchester Cathedral did apologize for allowing the Muslim call to prayer to be made in the cathedral at an interfaith event last week.

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