By ACNS staff
The Revd Canon Dr Kenneth Kearon, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion has been elected as a bishop in the Church of Ireland.
Canon Kearon, who was appointed to his current role in 2004, will become the next Bishop of the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe. He succeeds the Right Revd Trevor Williams who retired at the end of July this year.
Responding to the news, Canon Kearon told ACNS, "I am honoured and delighted to have been elected to the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe, and I look forward to getting to know the diocese, its people and its clergy well in the near future.
"Ireland has been through a very difficult period in its history, and I look forward to helping the diocese play its part and making its contribution to shaping the future.
"This diocese has made a distinctive contribution to the Church of Ireland in the past, in part through the work of its bishops and most recently through Bishop Trevor Williams, and I hope to be able to continue in their footsteps."
Canon Kearon has served alongside two Archbishops of Canterbury: Archbishops Rowan Williams and Justin Welby. As the leader of the Anglican Communion Office - the secretariat of the Instruments of Communion - he has supported several Anglican Consultative Council meetings, Primates' Meetings, and the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council Bishop James Tengatenga said, "I am delighted to hear that Kenneth has been asked to bring his considerable skills and talents to the Church of Ireland as a bishop.
"I am grateful for his decade of dedicated service to the Anglican Communion and wish him and Jennifer every blessing for the next stage of their journey."
The Bishop-elect has travelled widely in his role, and is a well-known figure across the Anglican Communion.
In a statement issued by the Church of Ireland, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, said, "Canon Kearon has expressed his delight at returning to work in Ireland and his intention to serve the people of Limerick and Killaloe and the communities of which they are a part.
"I have known Canon Kearon for many years and have always appreciated his personal friendship. I wish Kenneth and Jennifer all that is best within the love of God in their time in Limerick and Killaloe."