12.03.2014
Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland Appoints New Honorary Secretary
The Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland yesterday (Tuesday March 11) elected the Revd Gillian Wharton (pictured) as Clerical Honorary Secretary of General Synod. Ms Wharton, who is Rector of Booterstown and Carysfort with Mount Merrion in Dublin, succeeds the Ven Robin Bantry White who retired last month.
The election has been welcomed by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson who said:
“It was a great pleasure to me to be in the chair at the Standing Committee and to announce the appointment of the Revd Gillian Wharton as Honorary Secretary of the General Synod. Gillian makes history in undertaking this role. She brings considerable energy, enthusiasm and experience to the central workings of the Church of Ireland. We in Dublin and Glendalough are very proud of Gillian in this regard and wish her God’s richest blessing in her new responsibilities.”
Ms Wharton said that she was honoured by the appointment but slightly daunted by the job ahead. She commented:
“I am very honoured that Standing Committee has elected me, but slightly daunted too, as I’m conscious that there are big shoes to fill; Archdeacon Robin Bantry White was an excellent Clerical Honorary Secretary; his knowledge of the Church of Ireland and his wise thoughtfulness meant that he brought clarity to complex issues. There is a lot ‘take on board’ so I will be relying heavily on the other three honorary secretaries to bring me ‘up to speed’. I look forward to working with them and to doing the job to the best of my ability.”
Ms Wharton has been Rector of Booterstown and Carysfort with Mount Merrion since 2004. Prior to that she was chaplain to Rathdown School for four and a half years. From 1996 to 2000 she was part time Curate of the Leixlip Union and part time Diocesan Youth Officer. She was Curate of Glenageary from 1993 to 1996.
Currently she is Honorary Clerical Vicar and Chapter Clerk of Christ Church Cathedral. She is a member of General Synod, Standing Committee, the General Synod Board of Education and Diocesan Councils of Dublin and Glendalough among others.
Ms Wharton’s appointment by Standing Committee must be ratified by General Synod when it meets in May.