The Dublin native has spent the past five-years as Rector of the Holy Trinity and St Silas with Immanuel parish in North Belfast and takes up his new role in Limerick in a couple of weeks.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in North Belfast and I’d like to thank the people here for their warm and generous welcome,” Revd Canon Williams said.

Born in 1948, the young Dubliner was first educated in St Andrew’s College, Dublin, before he was accepted at Trinity College, and later, St John’s College in Nottingham, England.

He was ordained a deacon in 1974 and a priest the following year and first served as Curate in Maindenhead, St Andrews and St Mary’s in the Diocese of Oxford from 1974 to 1977.

Fr Williams, as he was referred to then, later moved to Ireland to become Assistant Chaplain to the Queen’s University of Belfast in 1978 before going on to serve as Religious Broadcasting Producer with the BBC from 1981-1988.

After his stint at the home of British Broadcasting, up until 1993, the Dublin Church of Ireland priest served as Rector of St John’s in Newcastle, Co Down and in 1993 he became leader of the Corrymeela Community, an ecumenical Christian group committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

He was appointed a Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral in 2002.

Now the 59-year old, who has, since 2003, been serving as a Rector in North Belfast is preparing once again to move-this time to the Treaty City and the home of Munster rugby.

 In his spare time, Canon Williams enjoys sailing and car mechanics and also retains an active interest in working for reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

He recently joined with four other protestant clergymen from North Belfast in urging the Northern Ireland Executive to put more resources into addressing sectarianism in its Programme for Government.

Married to Joyce (nee Milne) Canon Williams and his wife, have three adult sons, Andrew, Mark and Michael.

Joyce is also heavily involved with religious work and is employed as an administrator with the Churches Community Work Alliance.

Following approval by the House of Bishops, the Bishop-elect will be consecrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on a date to be determined.

On separate dates also to be determined, he will be enthroned in the two Cathedral churches in the Dioceses. St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick and St Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe.

Until his consecration, pastoral responsibility for the Diocese remains with the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill, with the Venerable Wayne Carney, Archdeacon of Killaloe acting as his commissary.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment