Press Releases02 Jun 14

Two New Canons Join St Patrick’s Cathedral Chapter

The Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, welcomed two new members on Sunday 1 June 2014. Canon Shane Forster and Canon Paul Houston (pictured, right, with Dean Stacey) were installed at a Service of Choral Evensong.

Canon Forster is Rector of Ballymore, Armagh. He has been Chaplain to successive Archbishops of Armagh and is now Executive Chaplain to the Archbishop of Armagh. He was elected as the Prebendary of Yagoe which was vacant following the retirement of Canon Michael Kennedy.

Canon Paul Houston is Rector of Castleknock, Dublin. He has been a Minor Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral since 2000 and has shown great commitment to the cathedral. He was elected as the Prebendary of Castleknock.

In his sermon, Dean Victor Stacey said that outlined the role of the Cathedral Chapter. He said that the Canons come from various parts of the country, from various different backgrounds and with various different skills.

Dean Stacey said that worship was the primary role of the cathedral. ‘A cathedral is a peculiar place… There are multiple activities happening and coexisting on a daily basis. This is a place of hospitality and welcome. We welcome all our visitors whether tourists or those who come to worship. However, our prime reason for being is for the worship of Almighty God and we hope to enable people relate to the Devine inside them as Christians,’ he said.