‘Follow Me’. Many have found comfort in these words. Knowing that they will be escorted to the right place at the right time is a privilege enjoyed by cathedral dignitaries, parish clergy, visiting preachers, and other. But who is to declare which is the right place or indeed the right order?
It makes sense that the verger, who is normally a permanent member of staff, should have a general knowledge of protocol for both sacred and secular events. The following suggestions offer a broad look at protocols and can be used in many differing situations, though some local customs may vary. Some situations will have to be tailored to the number of staff or volunteers available.
Seating plans and processional rubrics should be clear and concise, and distributed well in advance to those concerned. These should include stewards on duty as well as any visiting dignitaries.
When dealing with visiting dignitaries it is important that the other of precedence is clear. The representative of the monarch takes precedence in all cases, i.e. the Lord Lieutenant or High Sheriff of a county would take precedence over a town mayor or district chairman. When civic heads are visiting they should be placed in date order according to the granting of their charter, the earliest charter taking precedence. The local mayoral party is always given precedence when other mayoral parties are present. It an event is based on a county, then the chairman of the county council might take precedence over the town mayo. For instance, if an event were organised locally, say by Lincoln rotary club, then the Mayor would be given pride of place; however, if the event were organised by the Lincolnshire rotary association, then the chairman of the county council would take precedence over the local mayor, should both be invited.
The following list are intended to be a general format. It should be noted that the person taking precedence enter last and leaves first.
A Civic Procession
Lord Lieutenant of the county
High Sheriff of the county
(Local mayor)
(Chairman of county council)
Town mayors
Chairman of district councils
Should there be a royal presence then clear instructions can be had from the clerk of the lieutenancy or the county.
Suffragan bishops are normally honorary canons of a cathedral and should be included in their number unless they are representing the diocesan bishop. Archdeacons, unless they are residentiary, are also included with the honorary canons; however, outside the cathedral archdeacons take precedence over a dean or provost.
A Cathedral Procession
(Cross & lights)
(Bedel)
Choir
Verger
Visiting clergy
Visiting dignitaries
Canons emeriti
Verger
(Chapter Cross)
Honorary canons
Verger
Dean or Provost
Verger
Bishop
Bishop’s chaplain
A Parish Procession
(Cross & lights)
Choir
Lay readers
Visiting clergy
Visiting dignitaries
Verger
Incumbent
Archdeacons
Churchwardens
Bishop
Bishop’s chaplain
It makes sense that the verger, who is normally a permanent member of staff, should have a general knowledge of protocol for both sacred and secular events. The following suggestions offer a broad look at protocols and can be used in many differing situations, though some local customs may vary. Some situations will have to be tailored to the number of staff or volunteers available.
Seating plans and processional rubrics should be clear and concise, and distributed well in advance to those concerned. These should include stewards on duty as well as any visiting dignitaries.
When dealing with visiting dignitaries it is important that the other of precedence is clear. The representative of the monarch takes precedence in all cases, i.e. the Lord Lieutenant or High Sheriff of a county would take precedence over a town mayor or district chairman. When civic heads are visiting they should be placed in date order according to the granting of their charter, the earliest charter taking precedence. The local mayoral party is always given precedence when other mayoral parties are present. It an event is based on a county, then the chairman of the county council might take precedence over the town mayo. For instance, if an event were organised locally, say by Lincoln rotary club, then the Mayor would be given pride of place; however, if the event were organised by the Lincolnshire rotary association, then the chairman of the county council would take precedence over the local mayor, should both be invited.
The following list are intended to be a general format. It should be noted that the person taking precedence enter last and leaves first.
A Civic Procession
Lord Lieutenant of the county
High Sheriff of the county
(Local mayor)
(Chairman of county council)
Town mayors
Chairman of district councils
Should there be a royal presence then clear instructions can be had from the clerk of the lieutenancy or the county.
Suffragan bishops are normally honorary canons of a cathedral and should be included in their number unless they are representing the diocesan bishop. Archdeacons, unless they are residentiary, are also included with the honorary canons; however, outside the cathedral archdeacons take precedence over a dean or provost.
A Cathedral Procession
(Cross & lights)
(Bedel)
Choir
Verger
Visiting clergy
Visiting dignitaries
Canons emeriti
Verger
(Chapter Cross)
Honorary canons
Verger
Dean or Provost
Verger
Bishop
Bishop’s chaplain
A Parish Procession
(Cross & lights)
Choir
Lay readers
Visiting clergy
Visiting dignitaries
Verger
Incumbent
Archdeacons
Churchwardens
Bishop
Bishop’s chaplain