Press Releases16 Dec 12

Service of Enthronement for new Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

The Service of Enthronement for the new Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Saturday 15 December 2012. Those attending included Lord Caledon, Lord Lieutenant of County Armagh, and Lady Caledon; the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers, MP; Colonal Brendan McAndrew representing the President of Ireland and PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott.

The large congregation included representatives from a wide number of Christian traditions, including the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion; the President of the Irish Council of Churches; the General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland; the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; and Cardinal Sean Brady. Also attending were: the Archbishop of Wales; the Bishop of Aberdeen representing the Primus of Scotland; the Bishop of Bath & Wells representing the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson; bishops and a number of retired bishops of the Church of Ireland and Chapter members from Armagh, Meath & Kildare and the Dean and Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

The new Archbishop gave the address and the Bible readings were led by Mrs Ethne Harkness, an Honorary Secretary of the General Synod, and Archdeacon of Armagh, The Venerable Raymond Hoey.

The Enthronement Service was followed by a reception in the Royal School, Armagh.

Images from the service (by Paul Harron):

The Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, Dean of Armagh, and Archbishop Clarke

The Archbishop with his family: daughter–in–law Marianne, son Nicholas, grandson Liam, and daughter Lindsey

The Archbishop and his Chaplains walk to the cathedral’s west door

Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, presenting Archbishop Clarke with the Compass Rose as symbol of his place as a Primate of the Anglican Communion

The Archbishop is greeted by Bishops and Church leaders

The Arcbishop speaks with Col. Brendan McAndrew, representing President Michael D. Higgins, Lady Caledon and Lord Caledon, Lord Lieutenant of Co. Armagh

The Archbishop and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers, MP