Canon Adrian Towers KHS


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 fromthe 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. 

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

In addition to his above duties, Canon Adrian was appointed Rector of the Parish of St John XXIII in Preston which is based at St Joseph’s and incorporates the Catholic communities of The English Martyrs and what were previously known as the parishes of St. Ignatius, St Teresa and St Augustine.

However, having now overseen the successful transfer of the church of the English Martyrs to the care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and with Fr John Millar – previously Assistant Priest – becoming the Parochial Administrator, Canon Adrian is no longer the Rector although he will continue to provide support as Dean of Preston when required.

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.