Fr Paul preaching at St Patrick's Day service in Down Cathedral
Fr Paul Symonds, who was recently awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honors, will be the preacher at the Saint Patrick's Day service in Down Cathedral on Saturday 15th March. This year Saint Patrick's Day falls within Holy Week resulting in the services in the Church of Ireland being transferred to Saturday 15th.
Ordained priest in 1976, Fr Paul worked in Belgium, Holland, Italy and France before moving into the diocese of Down and Connor in 1989. He was a member of the Columbanas Community of Reconciliation in Belfast and held the position of spiritual director in St Malachy's College, as well as serving in North Belfast parishes. Since 2003 Father Paul has been working in the parish of Kirkinriola (Ballymena) and was instrumental in defusing tensions which arose during sectarian protests at the Roman Catholic Church in Harryville in the Co Antrim town. Fr Paul is widely known for his work in reconciliation and the unity of Christians and has close links with the Benedictine monks of Holy Cross Monastery in Rostrevor.
Fr Paul will preach at the 11am service in Down Cathedral on Saturday 15th March and will take part in the wreath laying ceremony at Saint Patrick's Grave, which follows the service.
This is the first time since 1913 that Saint Patrick's Day services have been moved - the next occasion will be in 152 years time, in 2160!