Dean of Belfast announces his retirement
The Very Reverend Houston McKelvey has announced to the Cathedral Congregation that he will be retiring in April of next year.
He had already intimated his intentions to the Bishop of Connor, Rt Rev Alan Abernethy.
The Bishop of Connor's Commissary, the Venerable Dr Stephen McBride, paid tribute to the Dean saying:
'The ministry of the Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey is notable for the wide range of key activities in which he has been involved in the life of the Church.
'The Dean has contributed with energy and drive across many areas of Church life and beyond, in the fields of education, communication and ecumenism. He has always shown a robust approach to life and a capacity for getting across his views in a forthright manner, a characteristic of many larger-than-life Instonians. Throughout his ministry he has been ably supported and complemented by his wife Roberta, who through her Mothers’ Union role has also contributed much on the national and international stages.
'As a chaplain in the Territorial Army, the Dean was the first reserve forces chaplain to be awarded the Queen’s Volunteer Reserve Medal in 2000 and his service to the community was recognised with the award of the OBE in 2010.
'I wish Houston well as he makes preparations for his final black Santa sit-out next month and hope that he will have many years of happy retirement.'
The Dean expressed his thanks for the support which he had received from his clerical colleagues at the Cathedral and the members of the Cathedral Community during almost ten years of ministry.
During this time the Spire of Hope was erected, the positions of ecumenical canons were established and the partnership with St Peter's Cathedral strengthened.
The Dean will commence his tenth annual Sitout for Charities with the members of the Cathedral Chapter on Thursday 16th December.