Diocesan News
Announcement of the Retirement of the Dean of Ross
The Dean of Ross, the Very Reverend Christopher Peters, has indicated to the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross his intention to retire on 31st October 2021. This has now been announced also to the parishioners of Ross Union of Parishes.
Born and brought up on the Isle of Wight, Dean Peters began to sense a call to ordination while reading History at Oxford. He, together with his wife Judy, arrived in Belfast as newly–weds in 1982 and Chris was ordained in Down Cathedral that September and served as curate in Knockbreda Parish until 1984 when he was appointed as curate in Lisburn Cathedral.
Dean Peters says: “It was in Lisburn that I first came to know our Bishop. In 1988 I was appointed as incumbent of Kilmocomogue Union which began my association with the diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Between 1993 and 1998 I was incumbent of Killiney (Ballybrack) in the diocese of Dublin. In 1998 I was appointed Dean of Ross and incumbent of Ross Union of Parishes where I have served for the last 23 years.
“Leaving a parish is never easy, especially one where you feel such a bond with the people and the communities you have tried to serve. An indication of that strong bond is that we are only moving a few miles down the road. I look forward to continuing ministry in our united dioceses in retirement, but in a different way and am very grateful for the friendship and support I have received over the years from so many.
Expressing gratitude to Dean Peters, Bishop Paul Colton said: “Dean Peters has had a very significant and formative ministry here in Cork, Cloyne and Ross. He and Judy have taken this very special part of the world and its people, very much to their hearts. This is the home they love and where they, and their family, are loved. There will be opportunities for saying ‘thank you’ in due course, but already I do wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Dean for his faithful ministry in the parish, in the diocese and in the wider Church of Ireland. We look forward to our continuing contact with him and with Judy.”
Saint Fachtna founded a monastery and Scripture School here towards the end of the Sixth Century. At the heart of the West Cork Parish of Ross Union is the Cathedral Church of Saint Facthna in Rosscarbery. The parishes on the scenic coast are the famous villages of Glandore, Union Hall and Leap, along with Castleventry in the agricultural hinterland.
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Ms Denise Stobart
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