28.10.2015
New Appointments to Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral
Two new senior dignitaries have been appointed to the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Former Chancellor, Canon Neil McEndoo has been elected Precentor of the cathedral by the Chapter in succession to Canon Peter Campion who was recently installed as Precentor of St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Rector of Greystones, the Revd David Mungavin, has been appointed to the role of Chancellor by the Archbishop of Dublin.
The new dignitaries will be installed, along with the Revd Adrienne Galligan who was appointed 12th Canon earlier this month, on Sunday November 8 at Choral Evensong at 3.30 pm.
Announcing the appointments the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, said it was a delight to welcome the two new dignitaries to the cathedral chapter.
“Canon Neil McEndoo brings to the Precentor position a deep knowledge of the cathedral having many years of commitment to its foundation. He also is gifted in music knowledge and is a former chorister both of which will help him in his new role. I couldn’t think of a better person to become acting Dean in my absence from the cathedral during my forthcoming sabbatical leave,” the Dean said.
“I am also very pleased with the Archbishop’s appointment of the Revd David Mungavin as Chancellor of the cathedral. David has a rich experience of the worldwide church having lived in Hong Kong and ministered in the Episcopal Church of Scotland. David has a pastoral heart and an independent mind both of which will benefit his presence on the chapter. It is a good development that a priest of the Glendalough diocese occupies such a senior position on the chapter. I wish both men every blessing in their ministry with us,” he added.
Canon McEndoo’s election was welcomed by Archbishop Michael Jackson. “As Archbishop I have had the opportunity to work with Canon McEndoo since my arrival in Dublin and Glendalough. He is a person with tremendous attention to detail and with a deep love of the Church of Ireland. Neil has contributed substantially over many years already to the life of Christ Church Cathedral and I know he will do so with authority of office as its Precentor. I wish him and the cathedral community well in the new relationship and partnership that all will have for the future,” he said.
The Archbishop also paid tribute to the Revd David Mungavin. “In recent times David has been of significant help to clergy in early stages of their ministry both as deacon interns and as curates. Along with lay people and clergy in the Greystones, Delgany and Bray parts of County Wicklow, David has been instrumental in planning Temple Carrig School, one of the most exciting educational developments in the United Dioceses of recent times. I am delighted that the Dean and Chapter has elected David and I know from him that he will be delighted to serve God and the church in this new way,” he commented.
Following ordination Canon Neil McEndoo served curacies in Cregagh, Belfast, from 1975 to 1979 and at St Ann and St Mark with St Stephen, from 1979 until 1982. He served as a minor canon in St Patrick’s for some years. He moved to Harold’s Cross in 1982, which was part of a group of parishes with Rathmines. He became Rector of the parish group following the retirement of Canon Watson in 1984 and continues to serve the parish which became a union following the closure of Harold’s Cross. He became involved with the Russian Orthodox Church when it moved into Harold’s Cross. In 1991 he became a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral and in 2005 became Chancellor. Canon McEndoo has served on the Board of the cathedral for 11 years and on the Fabric sub–committee since Dean Harmon’s time.
Commenting on his appointment, Canon McEndoo said: “I have to say that I have been humbled by the messages of encouragement received since my election as Precentor. I feel daunted by the task that lies ahead, not least because the Dean is going on a sabbatical, and I will be acting Dean in his absence. Cathedrals have been a large part of my life. I grew up as a chorister (for 8 years) in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and attended school there. I look forward in this new post to working with the Director of music and the choir”.
The Revd David Mungavin served as an Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police before ordination in the Scottish Episcopal Church in 1990. He served in two parishes in Scotland as Rector of Airdrie and Coatbridge from 1992 to 1999 and Troon, Ayrshire from 1999 to 2009. In the Church of Ireland he has been Rector of St Patrick’s Parish in Greystones since 2009. He is also Diocesan Mothers’ Union Chaplain.
“Christ Church Cathedral holds a bold and enduring place in our capital city and at the heart of the United Dioceses. For me, one of the inspiring facets Christ Church represents is our call to continue to bear Christian witness in the public square. It is an honour to be invited by the Archbishop to serve as Chancellor of Christ Church. I humbly accept and ask for your prayers and support to those who, along with myself now, carry forward the great challenges and opportunities of office in our Cathedral,” he commented.