Minor canon

A minor canon is a member of staff on the establishment of a cathedral or a collegiate church. In at least one foundation the post may be known as "priest-vicar".^[1]

Portrait by Andrea del Sarto, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Minor canons are clergy and take part in the daily services but are not part of the formal chapter.^[2] They are sometimes, but not exclusively, more junior clergy, often chosen for their singing ability, who have already served a curacy, normally in a church.^[3]

References

1. Lichfield Cathedral
2. "minor canon, n." OED Online. November 2010. Oxford University Press
3. "ABCD: a basic church dictionary" p52 Meakin, T: Norwich, Canterbury Press, 2001 ISBN 978-1-85311-420-5