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| St Pauls |
The Rt Rev Graeme Knowles said the past fortnight had been a testing time.
It follows weeks of protests outside the cathedral by anti-capitalist protesters, which led to the building being closed for several days.
The news comes as the City of London authorities prepare to order protesters outside St Paul's to remove their tents and equipment within 48 hours.
The dean who occupied the most senior decision-making position at the cathedral, said he was stepping down "with great sadness".
In a statement, he said: "It has become increasingly clear to me that, as criticism of the cathedral has mounted in the press, media and in public opinion, my position as dean of St Paul's was becoming untenable.
"In order to give the opportunity for a fresh approach to the complex and vital questions facing St Paul's, I have thought it best to stand down as dean, to allow new leadership to be exercised."
It follows last week's resignation of Dr Giles Fraser, who had been sympathetic to the activists. The activists have been given 48 hours to leave by the Bishop of London or risk facing forceful eviction by the police.
A number of Church of England figures have criticised the way in which the situation has been handled by St Paul's authorities.
Their decision to begin the eviction process prompted Dr Giles Fraser to step down as canon chancellor, on Thursday.
It was Canon Fraser who told police to allow the protesters to set up camp outside the cathedral on 15 October after they had been prevented from camping by the London Stock Exchange in privately-owned Paternoster Square near St Paul's.
In a statement, he said: "It has become increasingly clear to me that, as criticism of the cathedral has mounted in the press, media and in public opinion, my position as dean of St Paul's was becoming untenable.
"In order to give the opportunity for a fresh approach to the complex and vital questions facing St Paul's, I have thought it best to stand down as dean, to allow new leadership to be exercised."
It follows last week's resignation of Dr Giles Fraser, who had been sympathetic to the activists. The activists have been given 48 hours to leave by the Bishop of London or risk facing forceful eviction by the police.
A number of Church of England figures have criticised the way in which the situation has been handled by St Paul's authorities.
Their decision to begin the eviction process prompted Dr Giles Fraser to step down as canon chancellor, on Thursday.
It was Canon Fraser who told police to allow the protesters to set up camp outside the cathedral on 15 October after they had been prevented from camping by the London Stock Exchange in privately-owned Paternoster Square near St Paul's.
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