Appointment of Ecumenical Canons to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
Two new Ecumenical Canons have been appointed by The Most Revd Alan Harper, OBE, Archbishop of Armagh, to St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh: the Revd Dr Donald Watts, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and Dom Mark–Ephrem Nolan, OSB, Superior of Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor, Co Down. The Installation of the new Canons will take place at a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 3.15 p.m.
Provision for two Ecumenical Canons was included in a new Statute governing St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, enacted by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland in 2011. The Ecumenical Canons are appointed by the Archbishop of Armagh for a term of five years, which may be renewed. They join the Dean, Precentor, Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon and four Prebendaries as members of the Cathedral Chapter (but may not vote).
Welcoming their appointment, the Dean of Armagh, The Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, said, ‘In Dom Mark–Ephrem Nolan and Dr Donald Watts, the Archbishop has chosen two distinguished Christians each of whom, through their own particular ministry, have exercised great influence for good in the life of the whole Church in Ireland. I am delighted at their appointment, and look forward to their installation as members of the Chapter.’