The House of Bishops of the Church of Ireland meeting today in Dublin appointed the Revd John McDowell, Rector of St Mark’s Dundela in the Diocese of Down and Dromore as the new Bishop of Clogher.
The appointment, of the new bishop had passed to the House of Bishops as the Episcopal Electoral College which met on 4 May failed to make an appointment.
Mr McDowell will succeed the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, who was recently enthroned as the new Archbishop of Dublin.
Announcing the appointment of the Revd John McDowell, the Most Revd Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, said:
‘I am delighted that the House of Bishops has appointed John McDowell to be the next Bishop of Clogher. He has been an outstanding Rector in his current parish and also a very highly regarded Clerical Honorary Secretary of the General Synod. John McDowell brings many gifts that will benefit the Diocese of Clogher. Gifts that are pastoral, administrative and intellectual. His new Diocese can be assured that their new Bishop will maintain the best traditions of the Church of Ireland with an openness to that broad spectrum which is characteristic of this Province of the Anglican Communion.’
Responding, the Revd John McDowell said: “I am very conscious of the privilege of being elected a bishop in the Church of God. My first task will be to get to know the clergy and people of the diocese of Clogher, whom I look forward to serving. The parishes where I have served have taught me much about the strengths of the Irish Anglican tradition and I am particularly indebted to my first vicar, the Venerable Stephen McBride for his encouragement and advice then and throughout my ministry.”
The Revd John McDowell also serves as the Clerical Honorary Secretary for the Diocese of Down and since 2009, has acted as one of the Clerical Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod. He is married to Mary (daughter of the late Rev SR Jackson) and they have one daughter Dorothy.
The consecration of the new bishop will take place in due course, followed by enthronement in the diocesan cathedrals in due course.
As a previous report on this site which included a review of the ‘probables’ including Mr McDowell, stated that St Mark’s Dundela is a “nursery” for bishops. Lord Eames and Bishop James Moore were rectors of the parish. Bishops Caird and Peacocke also served there.