“The west will hold a special place in my heart.” This is the belief of the Rev. Rob Clements, a popular face over the past three years at St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, who will be leaving Fermanagh shortly, having been appointed Rector of Kilternan in the Diocese of Dublin. 

Currently serving as Curate Assistant in St. Macartin’s, he is married to Julie and they have three children Sophia, Gideon and Micah. He previously served as a Deacon in Rathfarnham parish. 

Rob, originally from Belfast, will have his last official engagement in the Cathedral on Easter Sunday, prior to his Institution in Kilternan Parish in April.

“It is with great joy that I enter into ministry with the people of Kilternan,” believes Rob, who says he feels “very privileged to build on the tremendous work already done by Canon David Moynan and the excellent team he has built.” He senses “that there are wonderful opportunities for ministry and mission ahead.” 

Rob acknowledges: “I am grateful for the past three years in St. Macartin’s Cathedral and leave with much sadness. It has been a pleasure to work with Dean Hall and the good people in the Cathedral and wider community. The west will hold a special place in my heart.”

Rob grew up in inner city Belfast, where he worked as a youth and community worker. He mentions: “Growing up during the Troubles I developed an enthusiasm for cross community ecumenical work which I still maintain today.”

In 2004, he recalls that he moved to Seattle, which is where his wife Julie is from. He worked there as the director of a non-profit organisation called Seattle Goodwill, and after spending “four great years in Seattle,” they moved to Dublin where he was employed in drug and alcohol services while completing two master degrees, one in Equality Studies and the other in Theology. “In ministry I continue to find that my background in the social sector serves me well,” indicated Rob.

He explained that he began his process of discernment for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church, U.S. where he says they were heavily involved in St. Mark’s Cathedral. 

“In Dublin, Booterstown and Mount Merrion became our home parish under the guidance of Rev. Gillian Wharton,” said Rob, who upon being accepted into the church, served his deacon year in Rathfarnham Parish, before being appointed to St. Macartin’s Cathedral, where he remains until Holy Week.

Rob, whose ministry focus is on church growth and development, faith formation and liturgical renewal, holds particular interest in the church’s ministry to younger families where he has achieved much at St. Macartin’s.

He will be preaching in St. Macartin’s during Holy Week, with his last official engagement in the Cathedral being Easter Sunday. His Institution will take place in Kilternan Parish on April 13, 2016.