The Church of Ireland
Press Release

Canon Ellis, who continues as Rector of Newcastle, has numerous publications to his name, both academic and journalistic. He has been a leader writer for the Church of Ireland Gazette for many years and has broadcasting experience with BBC Radio Ulster, RTE Radio 1, RTE 1 Television and UTV. From 1984-1992, he served on the editorial committee of Search: A Church of Ireland Journal, and since 1994 he has been a member of the publishing committee of the Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge (APCK).

Canon Ellis grew up in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh where his father was Headmaster of the High School. He was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, Queen's University, Belfast, and Trinity College, Dublin. At Queen's, he took a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) Honours in Biblical Theology and his Master of Theology (M.Th.) dissertation in 1982 was on the text of St Matthew in the biblical manuscript, Codex Bezae. He received his Ph.D. from TCD in 1988.

Last year, Canon Ellis was elected President of the Irish Council of Churches, a post which he will hold until March 2002. For many years, he has been a prominent figure in the ecumenical movement. He served as honorary secretary of the General Synod's Committee for Christian Unity from 1980 until 1998. His doctoral thesis at TCD in 1988 examined ecumenical relations in Ireland during the 20th century, and led to the publication of his acclaimed book, Vision and Reality: A Survey of twentieth century Irish inter-church relations (1992). He is a founding member of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, a former co-chairman of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting's Department of Social Issues, and a member of the Anglican Consultative Council's ecumenical advisory group.

Canon Ellis was ordained in 1977 for the curacy of St Columba's, Portadown. In 1979, he became curate of St Mark's, Armagh and Chaplain to Armagh Royal School. In 1985 he became rector of Mullavilly Parish outside Portadown, and in 1993 was appointed rector of Newcastle, Co Down. Canon Ellis is a former Domestic and Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of Armagh and from 1982-1993 was an honorary vicar choral of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. Last year he was appointed a Canon of St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev Harold Miller.   Canon Ellis (49) is married to Coralie (Cooke) from Galway City. They have one son, Andrew, who is a student of Computer Science and Physics at Edinburgh University. Dr Ellis has a particular interested in things German, speaking the language fluently. He enjoys cycling and swimming.

As editor of the Gazette, Canon Ellis will be supported by a team consisting of the Assistant Editor, the Rev Clifford Skillen, rector of St. Polycarp's, Finaghy, the Rev Craig McCauley, On-line Editor, and the administrative staff at the paper's office in Lisburn. He will take up the post on 1st October.

Commenting on the appointment of Canon Ellis, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev Harold Miller, said: "I am so pleased that Ian Ellis is to be the new editor of the Church of Ireland Gazette. He is an able and gifted writer, and will, I know, be keen to enable people from every part of our church to communicate with each other."