Cathedral dean speaks of love in turbulent times

A Church of England dean has said "every human being is valued" amid "turbulent times" in his Christmas message.

In his Christmas message, the Dean of Peterborough Cathedral, the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, said the world needed the promise of peace "more than ever" in times of uncertainty.

His message comes as Peterborough Cathedral continues to face financial pressures, with it on track to record a loss of about £500,000 next year without significant intervention.

The cathedral said it would hold more events over the next 12 months following the recent appointment of a new chief operating officer, who the dean hoped would "strengthen their financial resilience".

Dean Dalliston said: "It is Christmas at last and the waiting is over!

"The message of Christmas, which we celebrate with wonderful words and beautiful music in our cathedral, remains, at its heat one of love and hope.

"And the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is a sign of God's commitment to and engagement with his suffering world and a promise that he will never abandon us.

"In our turbulent and uncertain times, we need that promise more than ever, and we ned to hold fast those values that have stood us in good stead over so many years: a belief that every human being is valued and precious in God's sight, that love is stronger than hate and that light has come into the world and the darkness will never overcome it.

"May we share with friend and stranger that same truth, not just at Christmas but throughout the year to come. Happy Christmas!"

A spokesperson for Peterborough Cathedral previously said it cost about £7,000 a day or £2m a year to keep it open, with an estimated daily deficit of about £1,400.

Earlier this year, the Norman cathedral raised more than £300,000 through its Cathedral in Crisis campaign so it could remain open seven days a week without entrance fees.

The cathedral said it would need strategic change to combat financial pressures in the new year and has a number of events planned in the first few months of 2026.

These include the continuing Christmas tree festival in the first week of January and the Katharine of Aragon Festival from 24 January to 1 February.

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