Press Releases30 Nov 13

Consecration of the Revd Pat Storey as Bishop of Meath & Kildare

The Service of Ordination and Consecration of the Revd Pat Storey as Bishop of Meath and Kildare took place at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin earlier today, Saturday, 30 November 2013, the Feast of St Andrew. The service – an historic event as the first woman bishop was consecrated in these islands – was led by the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson and the preacher was the Revd Nigel Parker, Rector of the Parish of St Comgall, Bangor (pictured right along with Archbishop Richard Clarke, Bishop Pat Storey, Archbishop Michael Jackson and the Revd Earl Storey).

The congregation brought together over 500 people drawn from across the Church of Ireland and wider Irish society, including The Most Revd Pat Storey’s father and brother, husband, daughter and son–in–law and many close friends and family members.

The Old Testament reading was given by the Revd Earl Storey, Bishop Storey’s husband; the Epistle was led by Mrs Dierdre Amor, a vestry member from St Augustine’s Parish, Londonderry where the new bishop was Rector from 2004 to 2013, and the Gospel proclaimed by the Revd Trevor Holmes, a deacon.

In his sermon, the Revd Nigel Parker focused on the theme ‘Consecrate yourself to the Lord’ based on John 21. 1–17, saying that the application of consecration is ‘showing our love for Him who first loved us; placing ourselves entirely at His disposal; and declaring, “Whatever it takes!”’ In commending Pat to all present he said: ‘It has been our privilege over the years to see you respond to our Father’s love with love, trust and obedience. You have given yourself whole–heartedly to Him and His Church … teaching the Scriptures and pastoring with that disarming directness, which is your hallmark – a directness, which speaks the truth in love, with a ready laugh and delightful sense of humour.’

The consecration brought together a large number of serving and retired bishops of the Church of Ireland, including The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh, and former Archbishop of Dublin The Rt Revd Dr Walton Empey. From the wider Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury was represented by The Ven. Sheila Watson; the Scottish Episcopal Church by the Primus, The Most Revd David Chillingworth, and the Church in Wales by Archbishop Barry Morgan; the Porvoo Communion was represented by The Rt Revd Karsten Nissen. Also attending from other Irish Christian Church traditions were: The Revd Dr Heather Morris, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland; The Rt Revd Dr Rob Craig, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; The Most Revd Denis Nulty, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Monsignor Dermot Farrell attending on behalf of the Bishop of Meath; and Dr Gesa Thiessen of the Lutheran Church. Dr Ali Selim attended on behalf the Islamic Community.

State representation included Colonel Brendan McAndrew, Aide–de–camp, attending for President Michael D. Higgins; Cmdt Alan Bulger representing An Taoiseach; and Deputy Sean O’Fearchail, TD for Kildare.

The music followed the setting of Franz Schubert’s Mass in G, with organ voluntaries by Maurice Durufle before and after the service, Communion motets by Thomas Tallis and Anton Bruckner led by the Cathedral Choir, and rousing renditions of the hymns ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’; ‘All people that on earth do dwell’; ‘Alleluya! Sing to Jesus!’; ‘O Praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height’ and the Hymn of Invocation ‘Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire’ prior to the Ordination Prayer and Laying on of Hands by the archbishops, co–consecrators and bishops.

A reception was held in the State Apartments at Dublin Castle following the service.

Above: Bishop Pat Storey and her husband, the Revd Earl Storey

Photos: Paul Harron/Church of Ireland Press Office