The enthronement of the Right Revd Michael Jackson as Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough will take place in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, 8 May at 4.00pm. The service is strictly invite-only.
Born in Lurgan, Co Armagh in 1956, Dr Jackson attended school at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. He went on to study at Trinity College in Dublin from which he graduated with a first-class honours BA in Classics and later a Masters degree. He was awarded a PhD in Theology at Cambridge and a PhD in Philosophy at Oxford.
Dr Jackson was made deacon in 1986 and ordained a priest in 1987. He served his curacy in Zion Parish, Dublin, and lectured at Trinity College and the Church of Ireland Theological College (now Institute) before taking up the post of College Chaplain at Christ Church College, Oxford, from 1989 to 1997. From 1997 to 2002, he was Incumbent of St Fin Barre’s Union and Dean of Cork.
Bishop Jackson has held many notable positions in the Church of Ireland, including chairmanship of the Church in Society Committee and, currently, chairmanship of the Board for Social Theology. He has been the Bishop of Clogher since 2002. Dr Jackson also plays an active role in the wider Anglican Communion, especially in the areas of ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue. He is married to Inez, a doctor, and they have one adult daughter, Camilla.
Speaking shortly after his appointment was announced, Dr Jackson admitted that while he was sad to be leaving behind the people of Clogher, he was exited about the possibilities of his new role. He said, “One of the things that fascinates me is the range of life and ministry which is possible in these two united dioceses – you have, obviously, a very competent international capital, you have suburbs where there is great live and energy, then you have the rural aspect.”