Press Releases06 Oct 10

Archbishop of Armagh pays tribute to the retiring Archbishop of Dublin

From The Most Revd Alan Harper, OBE
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

‘Archbishop John Neill has served the Church of God with the greatest distinction for more than forty-one years. He will have completed twenty-five years as a bishop in the Church of Ireland on the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul on 25th January 2011. His ministry has encompassed much of the island of Ireland not least as a diocesan bishop in the dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, followed by Cashel and Ossory and finally, since 2002, Dublin and Glendalough. Wherever Archbishop John has served the witness of the Church has been strengthened, the people of the Church have been encouraged, and the liturgy of the Church has been enhanced – all of these things empowered by Archbishop John’s consistent and distinctive spirituality and commitment to God and the People of God.

‘In the international engagements of the Church the Archbishop has served at the highest levels in the World Council of Churches, the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, and the Anglican Communion, most recently in connection with the drafting of the proposed Anglican Covenant.

‘In wishing Archbishop John and Mrs Betty Neill all happiness and wellbeing in their forthcoming retirement, I should wish them to be assured of the affection and respect in which they are held throughout the Church of Ireland and of my personal gratitude for their friendship, support, wisdom, guidance and generous hospitality.’

ENDS