Press Releases06 May 08

The Revd Canon Trevor Williams Elected Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe

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.

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.


For further information contact:

Jenny Compston, Church of Ireland Press Office,
Tel: (048) 90232909 (from Republic of Ireland) or (+44 28) 90232909 (International)

or Garrett Casey
Mob: (087) 2356472 (from the Republic of Ireland) or (+ 353 87) 2356472 (International)

or Janet Maxwell
Mob: (087) 9484412 (from the Republic of Ireland) or (+353 87) 9484412 (International)