Appointment of Tattooed Reverend to Leadership Role at Canterbury Cathedral Sparks Online Backlash and Defended by the Institution

A Church of England faith leader is facing criticism for her tattoos after being named the next cantor and head of worship at Canterbury Cathedral. Rev. Wendy Dalrymple, a priest and soon-to-be precentor and residentiary canon designate, received negative reactions online when the cathedral tweeted an announcement with a picture of Dalrymple displaying her arm tattoos. Some individuals called the tattoos disgusting and felt that she should be barred from any religious role.

Canterbury Cathedral responded to the backlash, stating that the negative reaction was unacceptable. Reverend Wendy Dalrymple’s tattoos caused a stir after her upcoming appointment was announced by Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral eventually turned off comments on the post, limiting Twitter users to only quote-tweet the announcement.

Dalrymple expressed mixed emotions about leaving her current church but stated that she was excited for the next part of her journey. She acknowledged feeling saddened by the online backlash but was grateful for the support from the cathedral.

During her eight-year tenure as rector of All Saints with Holy Trinity in Loughborough, Dalrymple transformed the church into an inclusive, intercultural worshiping community. This accomplishment made the church welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds.

In response to the hate directed at Dalrymple, Dean of Canterbury David Monteith expressed his sadness regarding the abuse she had received. A spokesperson for Canterbury Cathedral also stated that while the majority of feedback regarding Dalrymple’s appointment had been positive, there were unfortunately some individuals who engaged in online abuse due to her appearance. The spokesperson also mentioned that this was a common experience for many women.

Dalrymple’s appointment to the new role received praise from those who recognized the importance of representation. One person shared that showing Dalrymple’s picture to their tattooed daughter and son-in-law made them realize that people like them were allowed in church.

Aside from her new role, Dalrymple is a married woman with three children and two grandchildren. She was appointed to her position on July 9, 2021.

Canterbury Cathedral, founded by St. Augustine in 597 AD, is a renowned place of worship and a major pilgrimage destination. It is also known for its remarkable art and architecture and is one of the most-visited historic sites in the UK.

Overall, while Rev. Wendy Dalrymple’s tattoos have sparked controversy, the majority of responses have been positive and supportive of her new role at Canterbury Cathedral.

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