Habemus Episcopum Anglicanam - We have a new bishop!

SS102fm extends cordial congratulations to the Church of Ireland United diocese of Limerick & Killaloe on the election of their new bishop is succession to Dr Trevor Williams (who was interviewed on SS102fm here).

From the diocesan website:

Canon Kearon is Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, a position he has held since 2005. Born in 1953, he is a native of Dublin. Educated at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), he served his curacy in All Saints Raheny and St John's Coolock, before becoming Dean of Residence at TCD in 1984, a position he held until 1990. He was Rector of the Parish of Tullow (Dublin) from 1991 to 1999 after which he became Director of the Irish School of Ecumenics (1999-2005). Dr Kearon is a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin and an Honorary Provincial Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral London and St George's Cathedral Jerusalem. He also has an extenisive list of publications to his name, including "Medical Ethics: An Introduction" published in 1995 by Columba press.

Our new Bishop elect is married to Jennifer and they have three adult daughters: Gillian who lives and works in New Zealand, Rachel and Alison, both of whom live and work in Ireland.  

The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, said, 'Canon Kearon has expressed his delight at returning to work in Ireland and his intention to serve the people of Limerick and Killaloe and the communities of which they are a part. I have known Canon Kearon for many years and have always appreciated his personal friendship. I wish Kenneth and Jennifer all that is best within the love of God in their time in Limerick and Killaloe.'

The bishop-elect said: 'I am honoured and delighted to have been elected to the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe, and I look forward to getting to know the diocese, its people and its clergy well in the near future. Ireland has been through a very difficult period in its history, and I look forward to helping the diocese play its part and making its contribution to shaping the future. This diocese has made a distinctive contribution to the Church of Ireland in the past, in part through the work of its bishops and most recently through Bishop Trevor Williams, and I hope to be able to continue in their footsteps.

There are still some procedures to be completed, including the formal approval of the House of Bishops, so there is, as yet, no date set for the consecration. Nevertheless we look forward to welcoming our Dr. & Mrs Kearnon as Bishop Kenneth and Jennifer to their new home amongst us here in the Mid-West of Ireland and offer our prayerfull support as they prepare for the upheaval of moving."

We welcome the new bishop-elect and his family to Shannon side and perhaps look forward to inviting him on the programme at some future date.

Update:

Comments from Bishop Brendan Leahy on the election news.