Canon Christopher Allan, the Sub-Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, has been sworn in as a police chaplain for Sydney City.
The Acting Commander of Sydney City Police Command Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald and Senior Police chaplain Andrew Nixon inducted Canon Allan and introduced him to a gathering which included Archbishop Raffel, Bishop Michael Stead, Dean Sandy Grant, Acting Assistant Commissioner Martin Fileman and operational officers at the Day St Police Station.
“The role of the police chaplain is to give support to our staff, both sworn and unsworn,” Superintendent Fitzgerald said. “In times of difficulty and regardless of what faith they come from or belief, it's another support mechanism for our police. Chris is well known in the city and the parish. So we look forward to building further relationships with him.”
After being sworn in and presented with a chaplain’s scarf, hardhat and police hi-vis vest, Canon Allan said his appointment was a privilege.
“We pray in the cathedral every single week for the police here in the city,” he said. “We're thankful for them and we know it's an extraordinarily difficult and often thankless job. So when Andrew (Senior chaplain Nixon) asked me if there was an opportunity for me to serve, I said absolutely! I'm expecting to be able to help the wonderful officers who serve here in the City of Sydney. To be a support to them and to be a listening ear when they need it.”
Main photo: (Senior Chaplain Andrew Nixon at left, Acting Commander Despa Fitzgerald and Canon Allan - watched by city police officers)
