PERS ONALITIES
Walkie Talkies The Catholic Dean, Rev Canon Dominic Golding - and his Labrador, Zita - met Kieranne Grimshaw in the course of a walk on the north coast
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he role of a Dean is challenging enough without having to deal with a pandemic and the renovation of a Church spire. Over the last three years, Canon Golding has balanced these challenges with the everyday duties of a Priest.
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He admits his job was made easier with Zita, his Labrador and like most dogs, ‘a great listener’. Canon Golding came to Jersey from Portsmouth. ‘I replaced Canon Nicholas France whose predecessor was here for 25 years. They tend to stay, and I can see why,’ he said. Being a Catholic Dean involves looking after the local Roman Catholic community and Zita is a vital ice breaker and constant support to her owner. ‘The community is spread out over seven churches here and Zita is an easy conversation starter. I know quite a few people in town to whom I’m just the man with the black Labrador. Only later if I’ve been on the TV, do people say “I didn’t know you were a priest!”’
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Zita gets me out in all weathers. I tell her all my ups and downs and she listens patiently, never judging and always pleased to see you
Two recently ordained priests, one from Nigeria and the other from South Africa, assist Canon Golding with a total congregation of 1,500. Their challenge is to foster a sense of community. Normally a Parish Priest would look after one Church, so they have a taxing task ahead and plenty of people for Zita to meet.
