Diocesan News28 Nov 11

New Archdeacon of Dromore installed

The Ven Roderic West, rector of St John’s Parish Church, Moira, was installed as the Archdeacon of Dromore on Friday 25th November in Dromore Cathedral.

Family, friends, colleagues and parishioners from different chapters in Roderic’s life gathered in support and celebration of his appointment to this important post.

The Archdeacon is second only to the Bishop in the hierarchy of the Diocese, though second also to the Dean within the Cathedral Chapter. As such, he would be installed by the Dean and supported by the Bishop. Due to family illness, however, Dean Lowry was unable to attend the service and Archdeacon West was installed by The Prebendary of Dromara, Canon Robert Howard.

Canon Terence Cadden, Precentor of the Cathedral Chapter, preached from Exodus 18 which outlines ‘The Jethro Principle,’ – the imperative for Christian leaders to delegate and release others into ministry. His second text was 1 Thessalonians 4, which urges us to live in a way that pleases God.

Terence applauded the Bishop for his choice of Roderic as Archdeacon and Bishop Harold, in his words to the congregation, expressed his confidence in his new Archdeacon’s gifts, character and loyalty.

Roderic thanked the Bishop for appointing him, the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral for their support and everyone who had participated in and attended the service. He spoke warmly of those who had encouraged him in ministry in his home county of Fermanagh and the clergy and parishioners who have been a part of his ministry since.

Last but not least, Roderic thanked his wife Joan for her constant support and his two daughters Claire and Ruth. Claire is a teacher in Largymore Primary near Lisburn and Ruth, who was ordained in 2009, is curate (although currently priest in charge) of the Waterford Cathedral Group of Parishes.

View some photos in the Gallery here.

Roderic, who was installed as Canon on the Chapter of Dromore Cathedral in April 2005, was subsequently installed as Chancellor in November 2008.

He was appointed Archdeacon of Dromore in succession to Ven John Scott who retired as rector of Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge, on 30 September 2011.