Press Releases02 Dec 08

Rt Revd Lord Eames & Archbishop Tutu Honoured by University of London

Rt Revd Lord Eames of Armagh and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to be Honoured by University of London

The former Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Rt Revd The Lord Eames OM, will today, Tuesday 2nd December 2008, receive an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of London alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The honour is to be conferred upon Lord Eames and Archbishop Tutu – in recognition of their international work for reconciliation – by the Chancellor of the University, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, at a Foundation Day ceremony in Senate House, University of London.

Lord Eames of Armagh was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1986 to 2006 and is currently the co-chair of the Consultative Group on the Past. In introducing Lord Eames at the ceremony, Dr John McDade, Principal of Heythrop College, will say: ‘How fitting it is that both Lord Eames and Archbishop Tutu should receive awards from the University on the same day, for both made significant social contributions to the healing of societies fractured by distrust and violence.’

In advance of the ceremony, Lord Eames said: ‘I am greatly honoured and delighted to receive this degree together with my great friend and colleague of so many years, Desmond Tutu.’

At the same ceremony, honorary degrees will also be conferred upon: contemporary composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle CH – Doctor of Music; Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and former Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG – Doctor of Science (Economics); archaeologist Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn FBA – Doctor of Literature; and the ‘father of child psychiatry’, Professor Sir Michael Rutter – Doctor of Science (Medicine).

Lord Eames was Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe from 1975 to 1980; Bishop of Down and Dromore from 1980 to 1986; and Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan from 1986 to his retirement in 2006. In addition to his roles within the Church of Ireland he has made a distinguished contribution to the work of the wider Anglican Communion. He was created the Rt Hon Lord Eames of Armagh, OM in 2007. He has received academic honours from several universities, including Trinity College Dublin, the University of Cambridge and the Open University.

Foundation Day is the flagship event of the University of London at which the Chancellor, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, presides. The ceremony is attended by staff, students and those with long-standing connections to the University.

ENDS