THE Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, the Right Rev Noel Willoughby, announced yesterday that he will retire in March of next year.
Bishop Willoughby said his 16 years as Bishop of Cashel and Ossory had been happy ones and he paid tribute to the patience, co-operation and support of the clergy and the people in his diocese.
"It is the way of the church, indeed of life itself, that bishops come and go as do clergy and people," he said.
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Dr Robin Eames, greeted the news of Dr Willoughby's retirement with "great personal sadness".
"Throughout his ministry, Bishop Noel has given exemplary service at parochial, diocesan and central church levels," said Dr Eames. "His former parishioners, the clergy and laity of his diocese and his colleagues in the House of Bishops know only too well the value of his pastoral care and friendship.
"At all times thoughtful in his approach and basing his ministry on a sincere and consistent pilgrimage of personal faith, he has given us a wonderful example of Christian service."
Dr Eames said Bishop Willoughby was "greatly loved and respected" and his departure would be greeted with widespread regret throughout his diocese and in the wider church.
He paid tribute to Bishop Willoughby's work with Catholic church leaders which had "done so much to build bridges and increase understanding".
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev Walton Empey, said the warmth of Bishop Willoughby's personality "reached out and touched the hearts of many people who were not members of the Church of Ireland".