Canon Adrian J Towers, VF, was ordained priest on 14th November, 1981, by Bishop B Foley at SS Mary and Michael’s, Garstang. 

He was installed as Canon at Lancaster Cathedral on 25th November, 2014, and he is now the Dean of Preston.

Before taking up his appointment at Cottam in September, 2003, Canon Adrian previously served as Assistant Priest at St Joseph’s, Preston, and St Clare’s, Preston, (where he was also chaplain to the Royal Preston Hospital) and as Parish Priest of St Wulstan’s, Fleetwood. 

Since Advent 2009 he has also been Priest in Charge of St Mary’s, Lea Town.

Canon Adrian has degrees in Theology from Durham University and Moral Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome.  He taught for several years at St Joseph’s College, Upholland, and at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw (Major Seminary and College of Durham University), where he was Lecturer in Moral Theology. 

From 2002-2012 he was Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese and Director of Clergy Ongoing Formation. 

In June 2012 Bishop Michael Campbell appointed him as a member of the Diocesan Tribunal.

Canon Adrian assists as an Advocate for the Shrewsbury Diocesan Tribunal and the Liverpool Metropolitan Tribunal.  In 2025 he was appointed a Collegiate Judge in the Liverpool Metropolitan Tribunal.

He also serves as a Board Member of the Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Multi-Academy Trust and a Board Member of the Broughton Catholic Charitable Association.


Canon Adrian is a member of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain, and of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Canon Adrian was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in June 2021.  In 2025 he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order and serves as Chaplain to the Northern Section.