The Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, The Right Rev. Dr. Ian Ellis, was enthroned to St. Macartin’s Cathedral on Sunday evening.
This postponed enthronement service marked the official enthroning of the Bishop of Clogher, who 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. The first service took place in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Clogher, on Thursday, September 8, but following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the service in Enniskillen was delayed.
The service began with the arrival of The King’s Representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh, Viscount Brookeborough, and his wife, the Viscountess Brookeborough.
The congregation were welcomed to the service by the Dean of St. Macartin’s Cathedral, the Very Rev. Kenneth Hall, and the Mandate for Enthronement was read by the Diocesan Registrar, Rev. John McClenaghan.
The Bishop knocks the door prior to his Enthronement .
A key parts of the service was the welcome of the Bishop of Clogher to the cathedral. Bishop Ellis knocked three times on the cathedral’s West Door, following which he was welcomed by the dean.
As part of the service, Bishop Ellis was placed in the Cathedra, a throne that is reserved for the Bishop, and was blessed by the Dean and Archdeacon of Clogher, the Ven. Brian Harper.
Readings were read by the Right Rev. Monsignor Peter O’Reilly, parish priest of St. Michael’s Church, and Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher; Mark Ellis; and the Rev. Chancellor, Ian Berry, rector of Monaghan, Tydavnet and Kilmore, and Chancellor of the Cathedral Chapter.
Prayers during the service were read by Sam Morrow, Hon. Secretary, St. Macartin’s Cathedral, and Diocesan Council member; Ethne McCord, Hon. Secretary of Tyolland and Errigal Truagh Union on Parishes and Diocesan Council member; Julie Crawford, principal, Clontibret National School, and Elizabeth Armstrong, principal, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.
The sermon reflected on the readings and on the parables of Luke 15; ‘The Lost Sheep, ‘The Lost Coin’, and ‘The Lost Son’.
During his sermon, Bishop Ellis thanked everyone for arranging the services, and thanked all of those who attended the service, and all of those from across the Clogher Diocese for their prayers and support in his role as bishop.
Following the service, refreshments were served in the cathedral hall.
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