Press Releases
Death of the Revd Canon John Barry
The Board of the Church of Ireland Gazette issued a statement today, expressing their condolences to the family of the Revd Canon John Barry, who died this week aged 91. Canon Barry was a columnist for the Gazette for 50 years and was a noted figure throughout the Church of Ireland. He was ordained in 1938 and served his first curacy in St Matthew?s, Belfast until 1941. After terms in St Mark?s, Dundela and Dunluce, Canon Barry served as Incumbent in Hillsborough for 34 years, until his retirement in 1983. Canon Barry was a canon of St Anne?s Cathedral, Belfast from 1956 to 1964 and then became Chancellor of Down Cathedral until 1973. Canon Barry was a Prebendary of St Patrick?s Cathedral, Dublin, from 1973 to 1983.
The Venerable Raymond Hoey, Archdeacon of Armagh and Chairman of the Church of Ireland Press, paid tribute to Canon Barry?s contribution over the years:
?His incisive writing, shrewd observations and wry wit always stimulated interest and provoked reaction either for or against! This is surely the very stuff of good journalism. Many a reader of the Gazette over the years has turned first of all to the page containing 'Cromlyn' and the old rocking chair ? the newspaper just won?t be the same without him.
On behalf of the Board of the Church of Ireland Press and the readers of The Church of Ireland Gazette I offer our deepest sympathy to the entire Barry family in its great loss?, he said.
The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh, also expressed his gratitude for Canon Barry?s years of service to the Church of Ireland:
?Canon John Barry epitomised for his wide circle of friends and acquaintances all that was best in the devoted life of a true servant of the Church of Ireland. I have known and respected him for some 45 years as a friend and colleague. His devotion to his calling throughout a long and distinguished Ministry has influenced for good so many lives. He had the true personal touch of the dedicated parish priest who carried the needs of his people close to his heart and prayers. His love for the traditional liturgies of the Church of Ireland was widely known but it was the many ways in which his personal pastoral ministry to all sorts and conditions will be long remembered by those whose lives he touched.
In his passing our Church mourns one of its most significant pastors and servants who in retirement continued to remind us all of those values which endure.?
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