Our Priests
Westminster Cathedral is served by a ‘College of Chaplains’, drawn principally from the ranks of the Westminster diocesan clergy. Cardinal Vaughan wrote that the Chaplains’ chief motivation should be a desire to serve God as apostles, through a life of prayer and public liturgy. Throughout its life, the focus of the College has been the daily celebration of Mass and the Prayer of the Church, and it remains so to this day. The Chaplains meet together for Morning Prayer and each Chaplain celebrates one of the regular Masses.
Fr Slawomir Witoń
Dean of Westminster Cathedral
Fr Witoń was appointed to the Cathedral in 2020. In his capacity as the Cathedral Dean and the Rector of the College of Chaplains, he oversees the entirety of the Cathedral’s life on behalf of the Archbishop. His responsibilities cover a wide rage matters, including liturgy, maintenance, staffing, finance, catechesis, and parish visiting. Additionally, the Dean is the Chair of Oremus magazine, a Governor of Westminster Cathedral Choir School, Chair of the Safeguarding Committee, and Editor of the Parish Newsletter.
Fr Patrick van der Vorst
Precentor
Fr Patrick, the Cathedral Precentor and Prefect of the Sacristy, coordinates the liturgical calendar of the Cathedral, orchestrates special services, and maintains communication with the Music Department. Additionally, Fr Patrick provides pastoral guidance to the Guild of St John Southworth and the Cathedral Stewards, and offers daily reflections through Christian Art.
Fr Vincent Mbu’i SVD
Chaplain
Fr Vincent is responsible for the Cathedral First Holy Communion Programme, the Confirmation Programme, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He oversees the domestic arrangements at Clergy House and the duty rota, which governs the daily life and sacramental duties of Cathedral Chaplains.
Fr Hugh Mackenzie
Chaplain
Fr Hugh shares his ministry as the Chaplain at Westminster Cathedral with his roles as the Chaplain to St John’s Hospice, St John’s Wood, and chaplaincy to Westminster Cathedral Choir School. He provides pastoral care to the Guild of the Blessed Sacrament, looks after our housebound parishioners, and coordinates visits to local nursing homes.
Fr Paul Zhao SVD
Chaplain
Fr Paul serves as the Chaplain to the parish Legion of Mary, and he provides pastoral care to the Catholic Grandparents’ Association and the Oblates. Additionally, Fr Paul is responsible for the well-being of the Chaplains and offers domestic support to the College of Chaplains.
Fr Mike Guthrie
Chaplain
Fr Mike’s specific pastoral duties encompass chaplaincy at St Vincent de Paul Primary School and the Cathedral’s Chapel of Ease, the Sacred Heart Church situated on Horseferry Road. Additionally, he coordinates the Parish Marriage Preparation Course and provides pastoral care to the Guild of St Anthony. Furthermore, he serves as the liaison for Westminster School.
Rev Paul Christian
Cathedral Deacon
Deacon Paul is a married permanent deacon with a family of two children. He was ordained in 2025. He works full time as a Family Link Worker at Caritas St Joseph’s and supports the Cathedral by overseeing Baptism Preparation, and sacramental preparation for children with intellectual disabilities. He is also involved in coordinating housebound parishioners and local nursing homes.
Fr Javier Ruiz-Ortiz
Registrar
(Priest in Residence)
Fr Javier, the Cathedral Registrar, is responsible for maintaining our parish Sacramental records and documents. Additionally, he provides pastoral care to the Westminster Cathedral Filipino Club. Furthermore, Fr Javier also teaches Old Testament modules at Allen Hall Seminary and is the Dean of the Faculty of Theology of Mater Ecclesiæ College.
‘We are very conscious of the great privilege entrusted to us of serving God and his people in this great Cathedral.’
CATHEDRAL CHAPLAIN
