The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, is delighted to announce that he has appointed the Reverend Elise A. Hanley to the incumbency of Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes in East Cork.

The Rev. Elise A. Hanley grew up just outside New York City and, as a small child, felt a draw to the priesthood. The only issue was that she was Roman Catholic, but, she says, ‘that did not get in God’s way’. Elise graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and first worked as a stage and production manager on, off and way off Broadway. 

Shortly after becoming a member of the Episcopal Church, her call to the priesthood was finally recognised. She graduated from Union Theological Seminary of the City of New York in May 2016, and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of New York in October 2016. Elise’s first call was as Associate Rector (Curate) at Trinity on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut, where she also served as Assistant Chaplain to the Episcopal Church at Yale, and as a site supervisor to students in formation at Yale Divinity School.

Elise returned to New York in February 2020 to serve as Associate Rector of the Church of the Epiphany on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, providing pastoral support to a community in transition, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and seeing them through a successful move into a brand new, 35,000 square foot church building.. Elise currently serves as Associate Rector at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church and Pro-Cathedral in Brooklyn, where her focus is youth and family ministry.

Elise is married to Chris Ashley, who serves as a Hospital Chaplain at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. They make their home with Ted, a rescue mini schnauzer, and four cats. A long time vegetarian and animal lover, Elise spends free time volunteering with a local animal rescue, and also enjoys running, traveling, and singing.

Speaking about her appointment, Elise said:

I am thrilled to be appointed by the Bishop to the Cobh and Glanmire Union of parishes. I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout this discernment process, and I greatly look forward to meeting everyone and beginning our good work together. My grandfather Michael Hanley left West Cork by way of Cobh to come to New York 100 years ago, and now I will make the return trip. Please pray for Chris and me as we prepare to move, and know that you will all be in our prayers.