It is with enormous sadness that we announce Canon John Paul Hoskins, Precentor at Worcester Cathedral, died suddenly at his home yesterday afternoon.
Dean of Worcester, Stephen Edwards, said: “JP was a much-loved friend and colleague and will be greatly missed among the cathedral community. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time.”
The Bishop of Dudley and Acting Bishop of Worcester, Martin Gorick said: “It was such a shock to hear about John Paul’s sudden and unexpected death. My prayers and the prayers of all the diocese will be for him, his family, and everyone at the cathedral at this time. John Paul was a gifted priest and will be well remembered by all those who have been blessed by his careful and kind ministry as Precentor. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
John Paul, 50, was installed as Cathedral Precentor in January 2022 and had particular responsibility for the Cathedral’s music and liturgy. He joined the Cathedral Chapter from the Diocese of Gloucester, where he was Priest-in-Charge of Winchcombe and previously a Minor Canon of Gloucester Cathedral and Chaplain to two Bishops of Gloucester. He was ordained in the Diocese of Derby in 2007 and served his curacy in the Bakewell benefice. Before ordination he was a Lay Clerk at Guildford and Durham Cathedrals. He was married to Liz and they have one daughter.
Stephen continued: “We ask that the privacy of John Paul’s family is respected while they are grieving. We will circulate funeral details as soon as they are available.”
Merciful Father,
hear our prayers and comfort us;
renew our trust in your Son,
whom you raised from the dead;
strengthen our faith
that John Paul and all who have died in the love of Christ
will share in his resurrection.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
