In a tradition dating back to medieval times, a schoolboy has been chosen to take on the role of Salisbury Cathedral’s chorister bishop.
Unlike their predecessors, though, who held office for three weeks between the Feast of St Nicholas and Holy Innocents, 13-year-old Sebastian Kunzer will only be in post for a day. Chorister bishops were traditionally chosen by the cathedral’s director of music but this year each chorister was asked to suggest a name. Sebastian was elected by his peers due to his talent as a singer, his leadership qualities and his kindness. David Halls, the cathedral’s director of music, said: “(Sebastian’s) a really nice boy – kind, thoughtful, hardworking and a talented singer. “He would have been my choice if it had been my choice to make this year and all credit to his fellow choristers because they have selected very wisely in my opinion.”
Sebastian lives in Salisbury and was admitted as a full chorister in 2017 after a short stint as a probationer. The topsy-turvy chorister bishop ceremony echoes the medieval practice of holding festivals in which the “high” became “low” and vice versa. The elected chorister bishop held office from St Nicholas Day on December 6 until Holy Innocents Day on December 28. They could make decisions on church appointments that fell vacant within this period, as well as presiding over all services. The practice continued right up until the reign of Henry VIII who put a stop to it, declaring it a distraction from proper church business.
It was revived in its present form in Salisbury during the 1980s and the service takes place on December 6, during the Feast of St Nicholas.
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Harrison Okafor
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
