On Sunday evening, 3rd March 2024, the Rev. Clodagh Yambasu was instituted as the new Rector of Fermoy Union of Parishes by the Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, at Christ Church, Fermoy.

Christ Church, Fermoy – a very large Church built to accommodate, not only the local population, but a military garrison in the past – was full for the occasion with parishioners, clergy and readers from the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, as well as Clodagh’s family and friends. Also present were the Deputy Mayor of County Cork Cllr John Healy, other local councillors, ecumenical guests, and representatives of the community. The Reverend Dr Sahr Yambasu, Clodagh’s husband, was in attendance, as was the Reverend Andrew Doughtery, District Superintendent of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

The Rev. Clodagh Yambasu was presented to the Bishop by the Archdeacon, the Venerable Andrew Orr and the preacher at the service was the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork and member of the Church of Ireland/Methodist Church in Ireland’s Covenant Council. After the service speeches were given by the Bishop, as well as Ian Fleming on behalf of the parishioners of Fermoy Union. In response Clodagh expressed the hope that everyone would work with her to explore what God wants to do in Fermoy Union of Parishes.

In his speech, Bishop Colton welcome Clodagh and underlined that as she comes now to ministry in Fermoy and in the Church of Ireland she brings immense and diverse life and ministry experience as well as the many charisms of Irish Methodism which, he said, ‘will empower her ministry among us and from which we will all be enriched and blessed.’

Early in February, Clodagh was licensed by Bishop Paul Colton to serve in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne during the Eucharist at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. In the month since she has been settling in to life and ministry in both the Diocese and the Church of Ireland.