The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, has announced that, following the consecration of Bishop Adrian Wilkinson, the new Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is to be the Reverend Canon Andrew Orr. Archdeacons are appointed by the bishop of the diocese, and their role is to assist the bishop in his or her pastoral care of the diocese, as well as the general oversight and administration of the diocese.

Andrew was born in Belfast.  He attended Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Co. Down, before studying for a B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology and Physical Geography at the University of Sheffield. He was awarded a Bachelor of Theology from TCD in 1992 and was ordained deacon the same year.

He served a curacy in the parish of Ballymacash in Lisburn, before moving south to become Rector of the Castlecomer Group of Parishes in the Diocese of Ossory. In 2000, he followed Bishop Colton to become Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla in northwest Dublin. In that fast growing and diverse parish, he became deeply involved in interfaith dialogue with the new Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Orthodox communities. He returned in 2009 to the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory to become Rector of the Tullow Group of Parishes on the borders of Carlowand Wicklow. Bishop Michael Burrows appointed him Archdeacon of Ossory and Leighlin in 2014.

In 2018, Andrew and his wife Susan moved to Cork, Cloyne and Ross, as Susan became Dean of Cloyne and Andrew was appointed Priest-in-charge of Youghal Union and Chaplain to Midleton College school. A life long interest in environmental issues led to him becoming Church of Ireland representative and then chair of Eco Congregation Ireland, as well as representing the Church on other bodies such as the Anglican Communion Environmental Network. In 2020, Bishop Colton appointed him an Honorary Canon of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, with special responsibility for the Environment and Climate Change.

Susan and Andrew have three adult children, and welcomed their first grandchild, Tomás, this summer.

Bishop Colton said:

I am very pleased to announce that I have appointed Andrew Orr to be Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, in addition to all his existing roles in the United Dioceses. He will bring many gifts and much experience in ministry to this new role, an important one if partnership with the bishop and everyone in the Diocese alike.

The Ven. Andrew Orr said:

I am surprised and delighted to be taking up the position of Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. I am very conscious that I have big shoes to fill, following on from Bishop Wilkinson, but it is a role I thoroughly enjoyed in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. I look forward to working closely with Bishop Paul and all the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the Church of Ireland.