On Sunday 16th October 2022, the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, took his final service at St Luke’s Church, Douglas where was presented with his pectoral cross before he is leaving the Diocese to become Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. On the previous Sunday, a Diocesan Farewell Service was held at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral during Evensong. Throughout his last week in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the parish schools also wished the Archdeacon farewell and thanked him for his many years as their chaplain.

Adrian was ordained both Deacon (1994) and Priest (1995) at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, and has subsequently served as Curate in Douglas Union of Parishes with Frankfield for three years, before he moved to the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. Upon returning to Cork, Cloyne and Ross in 2002 he served as Incumbent of Douglas Union for twenty years, and as the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross for the past eight years.

Following his election as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, Adrian said:

I am humbled and honoured to have been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. While I will be sorry to leave Cork, a place where I have served very happily for over twenty years, I look forward to this new chapter in ministry. My childhood years were spent in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and I look forward to working with the clergy and people there in the years ahead, as we proclaim our faith in word and action.

During Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Sunday, 9th October, Ms Dorothy Verplancke thanked the Archdeacon on behalf of all the lay people in the diocese.

Adrian is a selfless giver who has never made anybody feel that their issues impact on his personal time. His kind, gentle, caring, and sensitive pastoral approach underscore his Ministry. He relates to people and he listens to people […] He exercises a calm and measured approach. These skills and gifts will serve him well […]. This Bishop Designate will be quickly recognised for his calm and considered “lead by example” leadership. A leadership, which will be enabling of others.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Jacqui, and Adrian and Jacqui’s family, and to thank them for the support and encouragement which has enabled Adrian to take on the role of Archdeacon, in the Dioceses.

Despite the fact that we are very sad that you are leaving us, we are all very proud of you, and we all wish you God’s richest blessings as you will soon embark on the next chapter of your Ministry.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne spoke on behalf of all the clergy in the Diocese, and presented Adrian with an episcopal ring, a gift that is traditionally given by the clergy of the diocese where the new Bishop is coming from. The Dean of Cork explained:

The centrepiece of the episcopal ring is an amethyst. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that they heal people and keep them cool-headed. We know that one of the hallmarks of our Archdeacon’s ministry has always been faithful and calm service, a sense of getting on with the serving life of the priest without fuss – what he’s often called ‘doing the plod’. It may not be obvious to those of us who are ordained that in a particular moment, by the simplest act or conversation, that we have brought peace and healing to people’s lives.  That is an important skill that the Archdeacon will bring into his new office, whether that be to individuals, the wider diocesan family of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, or the wider Church of Ireland.

The Archdeacon’s level-headedness and calm approach to things is well known and is no doubt not only his natural disposition but also rooted in much prayer.  We thank Adrian for that and pray that he will continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what will no doubt be a demanding role. 

We, the clergy of the Diocese thank you for your service among us […] and we all wish you every blessing in this new phase of ministry and assure you of our continued prayers for you too.