Press Releases
Archbishop of Canterbury to preach at service celebrating Primacy of Archbishop Eames
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams will preach at a major thanksgiving service to mark the twenty-year Primacy of the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh in St Patrick?s Cathedral Armagh on Thursday 16 November 2006. The service will be attended by distinguished representatives of Church and State from both sides of the border.
Media are welcome to attend the service ? There will be a photocall before the service starts ? please see the timetable that follows this press release.
Amongst those who will be present for the service will be the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Sean Brady, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland the Rt Revd Dr David Clarke and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Revd Ivan McElhinney, all of whom will read prayers during the service. The service will also be attended by the current and retired Bishops of the Church of Ireland as well as representatives of other Churches in the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Eames was ordained a Deacon in 1963 and a Priest in 1964. He initially served as Curate in Bangor and subsequently as Rector of Gilnahirk and Rector of Dundela. In May 1975, he was elected Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and was consecrated the following month. In April 1980, he was elected Bishop of Down and Dromore. He was elected Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland on 7 February 1986. At the General Synod in May 2006, he announced his intention to retire on 31 December 2006. He has also served in many positions in the Anglican Communion. He was Chairman of the Commission on ?Communion and Women in the Episcopate? (The Eames Commission) from 1988 to 1989 at the invitation of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie. He also served as Chairman of the Commission on Communion and Relationships between Provinces (The Lambeth Commission) from 2003 to 2004 at the request of the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
Timetable
6:50pm Photocall with Archbishop Eames and Archbishop Williams, St Patrick?s Cathedral Armagh (Military Chapel)
7:10pm Photocall ends
7:30pm Service Begins
8:05pm (approx) The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams preaches
8:30pm (approx) Service Ends
8.30pm Presentation to Archbishop Eames from the members of the Representative Church Body and the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, by Mr Sydney Gamble, Chairman of the RB Executive Committee and the Very Revd Desmond Harman, Honorary Secretary of the General Synod. A presentation will also be made by Archbishop Rowan Williams on behalf of the Anglican Communion and also a presentation to Lady Eames by Lady Sheil, Honorary Secretary of the General Synod.
8:50pm (approx) Reception in Royal School, Armagh
For further information contact:
Janet Maxwell (+ 353 87) 9484412 (NI) or (087) 9484412 (RI)
Garrett Casey (+353 87) 2356472 (NI) or (087) 2356472 (RI)