On Sunday afternoon, 12th May, two new Diocesan Readers – Lynn McAdam O’Connell and Michael Kenning – having completed the required training, were licensed by the Bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, during Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

In the presence of family and friends, readers from throughout the Diocese, and clergy of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, they were presented to the Bishop by the Chaplain to the Guild of Lay Ministry, the Reverend Paul Arbuthnot.

Pictured following the licensing of Readers were (l-r) the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork), Michael Kenning (Reader), the Bishop, Lynn McAdam O’Connell (reader), the Ven Adrian Wilkinson (Archdeacon of Cork), and the Very Reverend Tom Gordon (Dean of Leighlin and Preacher)

Prior to the licensing the Bishop paid tribute to all the Readers in the Diocese for their ministry and thanked them.  In particular, he singled out Mrs Joan Hales who had recently retired as a Reader after 35 years of service.  A presentation was made to Joan along with flowers.

Mrs Joan Hales, who has served for 35 years as a Diocesan Reader with the Bishop, and the Reverend Paul Arbuthnot (Chaplain to the Guild of Lay Ministry in the Diocese).

The Sermon was preached by the Very Reverend Tom Gordon, Dean of Leighlin.  Until now, reader training in Cork, Cloyne and Ross has been delivered via the Certificate in Christian Studies in the United Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.  That same Certificate Course, approved by the House of Bishops as one of the routes for Reader training in the Church of Ireland, is now offered in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, in partnership with the Pontifical University at Maynooth.

Pictured following the installation of the Precentor were (l-r) Mr John Jermyn (Assistant Diocesan Registrar), the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork), the Very Reverend Susan Green (Precentor, and Dean of Cloyne(, the Bishop, the Ven Adrian Wilkinson (Archdeacon of Cork), and the Very Reverend Tom Gordon (Dean of Leighlin and Preacher)

Following the licensing of the new Readers, on foot of a mandate of the Bishop, the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, installed the Very Reverend Susan Green as Precentor of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

The new Precentor, the Very Revered Susan Green, Dean of Cloyne with her husband, the Reverend Andrew Orr and some of their family.

Bishop Colton said:

Having confirmed five young people in Monkstown this morning, and now celebrating these events this afternoon, I am conscious how they all speak to us of discipleship and service continuing faithfully within the Church here in Cork, Cloyne and Ross into the future.

Michael Kenning and Lynn McAdam O’Connell with the Bishop.