The Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr Ian Ellis will be enthroned at two services this week.

The first Enthronement Service took place in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Clogher on Thursday, September 8 at 7.30pm and the second will take place in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen tonight (Sunday, September 11) at 7pm.

Bishop Ian Ellis was elected in November 2020 and consecrated as Bishop of Clogher in April 2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his Services of Enthronement were delayed.

Tradition

A tradition at the enthronement service is that the Bishop knocks at the West Door and waits for entry at the beginning of the services. The congregation will act out the fact that he recognises the Cathedral has a life and ministry of its own and yet is also his Church.

The enthronement services mark the beginning of Bishop Ian’s public ministry in the Diocese in a special way. It is also a service of celebration and welcome.

Enthronement is at the heart of what happens during the service, as Bishop Ian will sit in the seat (the Cathedra) that is reserved for the Bishop. The Bishop’s seat resembles a throne, and is there to call for unity and to invite people to gather around that chair from which the Bishop spreads the Gospel.

The Dean and Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Clogher have extended a warm welcome to parishioners and friends across the diocese to be present at one of both of the Services of Enthronement.

The service in Clogher will be a Service of Evening Prayer on the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in Enniskillen Cathedral, the service will be a celebration of Holy Communion on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity. Bishop Ellis will be the preacher at both services.