Dom Wulstan Probert

appointed Cathedral Prior of Worcester

Fr Wulstan was appointed Cathedral Prior of Worcester by the Abbot President on 5th March and presented with the decree, cross and ring on Palm Sunday. Fr Wulstan is a much-loved member of the Belmont Community known for his good humour, kindness and story-telling.

The community had a celebration to mark Dom Wulstan's appointment during which he revealved that both he and St Wulstan are old boys the same school at Evesham. St Wulstan was also Cathedral Prior of Worcester before he became Bishop.

St. Wulstan was the last saint of the Anglo-Saxon Church, the link between the old English Church and the Norman. He was also a monk, known for his holiness, but his vocation lay not in the school or cloister, but among the people of the market-place and the village. In this St Wulstan has been emulated by Fr Wulstan who for much of his life has served amongst the people on the Belmont parishes.

Before the Reformation the Benedictines formed the chapters of nine cathedrals of England. The superior was the Cathedral Prior. In 1633 the Holy See enacted that these titles should be perpetuated, as well as Peterborough, Gloucester and Chester made into Cathedrals by King Henry VIII. The office confers no jurisdiction.

The perivious Cathedral Prior of Worcester was Dom Hugh Menken. As a retired Abbot, Dom Jerome was given the title of Abbot of Shrewsbury.

Dom Wulstan wearing the cross of Cathedral Prior at the celebration to mark his appointment.