Press Releases01 Dec 22

New appointments at National Cathedral

Three installations of Canons to the Chapter of the National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Saint Patrick, Dublin, will be held in three separate services over the next two months.

The Reverend John Godfrey, Rector of Aughrim and Creagh (Ballinasloe) in Clonfert Diocese, was elected at the Synod of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe to the Prebendal Stall of Kilmactalway in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, replacing Canon Jennifer McWhirter, who, having resigned that Prebend due to the appointment of her husband, the Venerable Stephen McWhirter, as Rector of Rossorry in the Diocese of Clogher, was subsequently elected by the Chapter to the Prebendal Stall of Taney.

Canon Godfrey will be installed on Sunday 4 December, and Canon McWhirter on Sunday 15 January 2023. Canon McWhirter has recently been appointed Rector of Cleenish and Mullaghdun in the Diocese of Clogher, but will continue to serve as a Chapter Canon in Saint Patrick’s.

Meanwhile, the Venerable Craig McCauley, Rector of the Virginia Group of Parishes, in Kilmore Diocese, since 2004, who recently resigned the Prebendal Stall of Mulhuddart on his appointment as Rector of Naas, Diocese of Kildare, was subsequently elected as Prebendary of Tipperkevin, in succession to Canon Ian Gallagher, Rector of Stillorgan and Blackrock, who resigned at the end of September. Canon McCauley hopes to be installed to his new Prebendal Stall on Sunday 22 January 2023.

The Dean of Saint Patrick’s, Dr William Morton, congratulated all three Canons on their respective appointments, and wished them well in their new parishes. He welcomed Canon John Godfrey to the Chapter of Saint Patrick’s.