Tuesday 6 May 2008

From Belfast to Limerick - New Sherrif in Town

I've got a new boss. This from the Church of Ireland Website:

It was announced today that the Episcopal Electoral College for Limerick and Killaloe, meeting in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin has elected the Revd Canon Trevor Williams, Rector of Holy Trinity and St Silas with Immanuel parish in North Belfast as the new Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe.

Revd Canon Trevor Williams-Bishop Elect of Limerick and Killaloe
Revd Canon Trevor Williams-Bishop Elect of Limerick and Killaloe


The Revd Canon Trevor Williams (59) was born in Dublin in 1948 and educated in St Andrew’s College, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin and St John’s College Nottingham. He was ordained a deacon in 1974 and a priest the following year and first served as Curate in Maindenhead, St Andrews and St Mary’s in the Diocese of Oxford from 1974 to 1977. He moved to Ireland to become Assistant Chaplain to the Queen’s University of Belfast in 1978 before going on to serve as Religious Broadcasting Producer with the BBC from 1981-1988. From 1988 to 1993 he served as Rector of St John’s, Newcastle, Co Down. In 1993 he became leader of the Corrymeela Community, an ecumenical Christian group committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. He was appointed a Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral in 2002. Since 2003 the Revd Canon Trevor Williams has been serving as Rector of Holy Trinity and St Silas with Immanuel in North Belfast (Diocese of Connor).

Canon Williams retains an active interest in working for reconciliation in Northern Ireland. He recently joined with four other protestant clergymen from North Belfast in urging the Northern Ireland Executive to put more resources into addressing sectarianism in its Programme for Government.

He is married to Joyce (nee Milne) and they have three adult sons, Andrew, Mark and Michael. Joyce works as an administrator with the Churches Community Work Alliance.

Reacting to his appointment, the Revd Canon Trevor Williams said that he was “surprised and delighted to be offered the opportunity of serving the people of the United Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe. I’ve really enjoyed my time here in North Belfast and I’d like to thank the people here for their warm and generous welcome.”

In his spare time Canon Williams enjoys sailing and car mechanics.

Following approval by the House of Bishops, the Bishop-elect will be consecrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on a date to be determined. On separate dates also to be determined he will be enthroned in the two Cathedral churches in the Dioceses. St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick and St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe. Until his consecration, pastoral responsibility for the Diocese remains with the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill, with the Venerable Wayne Carney, Archdeacon of Killaloe acting as his commissary.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

May the transition go smoothly.

Stephen Neill said...

Thank you Grannymar :-) I think mind you the boat might get rocked a little and no harm either

Bock the Robber said...

Howya Trevor.

Welcome to Limerick.

I hope yourself and Stephen will join us for a pint in town some time, but of course it's up to you where we go. I know you haven't had a chance yet to familiarise yourself with the local pubs, so take your time.

Get back to me when you can.

Best wishes

Bock

Bock the Robber said...

PS And by the way, could you try and make sure that none of Stephen's parishioners drops dead this time.

Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

I shall convey your kind invitation to the boss and at least if there is an emergency I can send the bishop :-)

Anonymous said...

It's a great appointment. Trevor will bring all sorts of good things from the riches of his experience. I think the thing I admire most is the fact that, when he moved on from being Leader of Corrymeela Community, he went straight back into the sectarian cockpit of North Belfast. He could have chosen otherwise. But that's vocation!

Anonymous said...

Thanks +David - We are delighted with the appointment here in the diocese - I have yet to hear a negative sentiment expressed. As you will see from the comments above, Trevor already has an invitation for a pint! :-) Now I must pop over to your blog and see whats going on in your neck of the woods.

Thom M. Shuman said...

A friend of mine told me tonight of Trevor's appointment as Bishop. What a great opportunity for him and for the church. He is a man of vision as well of vocation; a priest with a pastor's heart; a peacemaker who welcomes all. I met Trevor in 2001 when he and I were both at Iona, and I consider his to be a good friend and valued mentor.

Thom Shuman,
Presbyterian Pastor, USA
www.occasionalsightings.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Thom

Great to hear such affirmation. :-) A real sense of hope and excitement in the diocese.

Stephen