Archbishop John Neill to retire

Archbishop John Neill to retire


THE head of the Church of Ireland in Dublin, the Most Reverend John RW Neill is to retire in January after eight years.
He is a former Bishop of the United Dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry and lived at Crossmolina for a number of years.
During his time in the West he was a familiar figure at church services throughout Mayo. He officiated at the induction of the Reverend Jack Heaslip as Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Westport. He also officiated at the installation of Archdeacon Gary Hastings as Rector of Holy Trinity.
Dr Neill, who succeeded the Most Reverend Walton Empey in 2002 as Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, played a seminal role in the introduction of female ordination.
Announcing his decision to retire the 64-year-old reverend said the time had come for a new archbishop with fresh vision and energy: He has been a bishop of the Church of Ireland for almost 25 years. Apart from his time in the West he also served as Bishop of Ossory.
Born in Dublin, Dr Neill was the only son of the late Canon EM Neill. He was educated at Avoca School in Blackrock and at Sandford Park School, Ranelagh, before attending Trinity College Dublin, where he graduated with a first-class honours Moderatorship in Hebrew and Oriental Languages.
When he was ordained a deacon in 1969, and as a priest the following year, he became the fourth generation of his family to serve in ordained ministry.
Dr Neill is a widely-respected figure in ecumenical circles at home and abroad, having served two terms of seven years as a member of the central committee of the World Council of Churches.