The Parish’s clerical team is led by the Dean, Fr John Harvey who serves as the Parish Priest, and he is supported by an Assistant Priest, Fr Matúš Meleg, and three Deacons.
THE CATHEDRAL DEAN
Fr John moved from London when he was about 5 years of age to Chadwell Heath, where he grew up. From his earliest memories he always felt called to the Priesthood, and at the age of 18 he left home for the beginning of Seminary formation. Fr John attended a Jesuit College for two years and St Mary’s Seminary, Oscott for 6 years, being Ordained on the 11th July 1981. He served for 9 years in three different parishes as an assistant priest, and then was appointed Parish Priest in another three parishes. His last Parish, St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton, he served for 21 years.
In 1995 Bishop Thomas McMahon asked Fr John to study Canon Law and he attended St Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, gaining a License & Masters in Canon Law. He serves on our Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal as a Judge in annulment cases.
In 2017 to mark the centenary of the Diocese of Brentwood, Bishop Alan asked him to join the Cathedral Chapter of Brentwood as a Canon and Consultor
He was appointed the Cathedral Dean in 2023.
ASSISTANT PRIEST
Fr Matúš was born and grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia. In 2014, he moved to the UK for his university studies at King’s College London. He trained for the Priesthood at Allen Hall Seminary in Chelsea before his ordination on 16th March 2024. He served his first six months of his priesthood as an assistant priest in Grays. He has been the assistant priest here at Brentwood Cathedral since September 2024.
Deacon Paul was ordained to the permanent diaconate in July 1989 by Bishop Thomas McMahon. He has served the Cathedral parish and the wider diocese for over thirty years celebrating countless numbers of baptisms, marriages and funerals. Deacon Simon Conrad is his son.
Deacon Joseph Manuel-Mokweyne was ordained to the permanent diaconate on 14th September 2024. He is married to Maureen and has four grown up children, Roberta, Amelia, Valentino and Davina. He works currently in the health care sector, as well as his ministry within the parish, he also works part-time as a volunteer hospital chaplain with the chaplaincy team at Queens and King George hospitals.
Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the permanent diaconate in July 2022. He is married to Alix and has two grown up daughters, Charlotte and Hannah. He works as a manager of Older People Residential Care for Essex County Council. As well as his ministry within the parish, he is a Governor at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School; a member of the Brentwood Catenian Circle and he volunteers at Chelmsford Prison as part of the chaplaincy team.
Brentwood Cathedral began in 1861 as a parish church built in a Gothic style. This relatively small building was raised to cathedral status in 1917. Between 1989 and 1991 the church was enlarged in an Italianate classical style.
The new Brentwood Cathedral was dedicated by Cardinal Basil Hume on 31 May 1991 and in 2022 the cathedral was listed at Grade II.
Photos used are copyright and property of Brentwood Cathedral, Graham Hillman and Jim Lynch
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