The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, who is attending the meeting of Anglican Primates in the United States, today paid tribute to Canon John Bartlett who has announced his retirement as Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College.

Archbishop Eames said: “It seems many years ago that with Archbishop Donald Caird of Dublin that I welcomed Canon Bartlett’s willingness to undertake the Principalship of our College. His period in Braemor Park has coincided with years of immense change in the Ministry of the Church of Ireland.

“In that time the whole nature of theological education has come under scrutiny throughout the Anglican Communion. I pay a warm tribute to John Bartlett’s contribution to the life of our Church, his faithful Ministry at the College and the influence he has exerted over the students in his care.

“Together with his late wife he took a sincere interest in the welfare of students and staff who will wish to express their own gratitude for his support and leadership. I thank him on behalf of the Church of Ireland for his single-minded dedication to the good of the College and the spiritual development of those preparing for ordination.”