Press Releases
Archbishop convenes Episcopal Electoral College to elect new Bishop of Cashel and Ossory
It was announced today that the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill has convened an Episcopal Electoral College to meet on Friday March 31 2006 in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin to elect a new Bishop of Cashel and Ossory (which includes the dioceses of Cashel, Waterford and Lismore, with Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin). The see has been vacant since the resignation of the Rt Revd Peter Barrett on 25 January 2006. The members of the college have already been informed by post.
The Episcopal Electoral College consists of the Archbishop of Dublin, who will preside, three other Bishops of the Church of Ireland and 48 Clerical and Lay representatives from Cashel and Ossory and other Dioceses in the Southern Province.
(A more detailed breakdown of the composition of the college and definitions follow this press release)
After attending a Holy Communion service at 11am in Christ Church Cathedral, the college will meet and conduct their deliberations in private.
The college may elect a current Bishop, or a Priest (male or female) over 30 years of age to the vacant see. To be elected, a nominee must receive the votes of at least two thirds of the clergy present and voting and two thirds of the laity present and voting (Archbishops and/or Bishops, if they desire to vote, do so as clergy for these purposes).
If the college is unable to reach a decision, the appointment will pass to the House of Bishops.
A result may become known between 3pm and 5pm on 31 March 2006.
Further information from:
Mr Garrett Casey,
Diocesan Communications Officer,
Dublin and Glendalough.
Tel: +353 (0)1 6106447
Mob: + 353 (0)87 2356472
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Notes:
Church of Ireland Provinces:
Composition of the Episcopal Electoral College for the Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory (2006):
The full composition of the Episcopal Electoral College for the election of a new Bishop of Cashel and Ossory is as follows...
The Archbishop of Dublin (Presiding)
3 Bishops elected by the House of Bishops (2 from the Northern Province and 1 from the Southern Province)
12 Clerical Members and 12 Lay Members from the vacant see (Cashel and Ossory)
12 Clerical Members and 12 Lay Members from the other Dioceses in the Southern Province, namely
- 3 Clerical and 3 Lay from Dublin and Glendalough
- 3 Clerical and 3 Lay from Meath and Kildare
- 3 Clerical and 3 Lay from Cork, Cloyne and Ross
- 3 Clerical and 3 Lay from Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert
The 48 Clerical and Lay members of the college were elected by their respective diocesan synods in 2005 to act as Episcopal Electors as and when required for the following three years.
Two other people will attend the Episcopal Electoral College, the Registrar of the Southern Province (the Revd Canon Victor Stacey), who will act as the Secretary of the college and a Legal Assessor, appointed by the Archbishop of Dublin to advise him on any legal or constitutional matters that arise. Neither of these people will be voting members of the college.
The election takes place under the rules contained in the Church of Ireland Constitution (Chapter VI, Part I Episcopal Elections).