Rev Govender, 45, a Manchester United fan with a liking for rock music, will be England's first black Cathedral Dean and the third most senior black or Asian churchman in the Church of England.  | | Manchester Cathedral |
A sixth generation South African, born in KwaZulu-Natal in Durban from South Indian ancestry, Rogers was ordained in 1985 in the Diocese of Natal. He served there for 15 years as parish priest, archdeacon and cathedral canon. Rogers came to Manchester five years ago as priest of Christ Church, West Didsbury and St Christopher's Church, Withington. He was soon additionally appointed Area Dean of Withington, overseeing 14 parishes in inner south Manchester. Speaking on BBC GMR’s Sunday Breakfast, Rev Govender said, the role of the Dean…is to oversee and to lead the Ministry and the witness of the cathedral to the City, to the diocese and beyond. On the task ahead in his new 'parish', central Manchester he said: "I look forward to working with other churches in the city centre to dare to imagine how to reach and serve people living, working and playing in the city." | "I look forward to working with other churches in the city centre to imagine how to reach and serve people living, working and playing in the city" | | Rev Rogers Govender |
The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch said he was 'thrilled' at the appointment: "The new Dean has a passion for church growth and is utterly committed to justice and reconciliation. The huge experience he brings will add tremendously to the cathedral's role in building links with this vibrant city and beyond." Rogers is married to Celia, who is the administrator of the central Manchester City Learning Centre. They have two children, Jonathan, 18, and Claire, 13. Rogers Govender takes over the reigns at Manchester Cathedral from the Very Rev Ken Riley, who retired in the summer after 12 years in post. | 
