At the recent meeting of the Diocesan Synod of the Church of Ireland United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (the annual meeting of clergy and elected laity of the Diocese with the Bishop) those present unanimously passed a motion of welcome to the new Roman Catholic Bishop, Father Fintan Gavin, in anticipation of his ordination and consecration on Sunday 30th June.

The motion passed was as follows:

On the occasion of his appointment by Pope Francis as new Bishop of Cork and Ross, this Diocesan Synod, on behalf of the Bishop, Clergy and People of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, welcomes the Most Reverend Fintan Gavin, and assures him of our friendship and ecumenical fellowship in the Gospel.

Bishop Paul Colton added:

As I mentioned when I first heard news of the new Bishop’s appointment, I know Fintan Gavin personally already and have worked with him in a number of contexts.  In Christian fellowship and as a mark of commitment to the ecumenical journey together, our Diocesan Synod was delighted to pass this motion.  I am looking forward, together with representatives of the Church of Ireland and other churches in Cork, to being present at the ordination and consecration on Sunday next in the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Anne.

Father Fintan Gavin who, on Sunday 30th June, will be ordained and consecrated as Bishop.