Canterbury Cathedral cleric reveals new tattoo after online trolling

Wendy Dalrymple said her tattoos reflected her story

A cathedral precentor who received online abuse for having tattoos has revealed a new inking of a feather to represent God's protection.

The Reverend Wendy Dalrymple, head of worship at Canterbury Cathedral, was accused of being a narcissist after a picture of her with bare arms went viral.

She blamed "good old misogyny" for the negative response to her appearance.

She said her tattoos helped to break down barriers by sparking conversation.

In the summer, when a picture taken by her husband was shared online, her appearance proved controversial.

She said: "I was accused of being a narcissist, there were comments about my top being too tight, a comment about whether I was a real blonde or not.

"Good old misogyny rears its head... People have opinions about what women do with their body.

"I do wonder if I had been a male cleric with tattoos, whether people would have felt the same way."

In response to the backlash, the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was "determined to shape a Cathedral which addresses misogyny, entitled power and prejudice".

Ms Dalrymple said she would love it if people visiting the cathedral came and talked to her about their own tattoos.

"They can be a real conversation piece and often people have tattoos that tell stories, as mine do," she said.

She added: "Everyone is different and it doesn't matter what you look like, what clothes you wear, inked or not inked, dreads, no dreads, piercings, no body piercings.

"Whoever you are, whatever background you are from, you are welcome in Canterbury Cathedral."

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