New Bishop of Kilmore elected

The Ven Kenneth Herbert Clarke has been elected Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh

The Ven Kenneth Herbert Clarke has been elected Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. He succeeds the Right Rev Michael Mayes who is now Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe.

Bishop Clarke (51) was previously Archdeacon of Dalriada, Diocese of Connor, and Incumbent of St Patrick's Parish, Coleraine.

Born in Belfast, he was educated at Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, Co Down, and Trinity College Dublin.

He was ordained in 1972 and served as curate in Magheralin between 1972 and 1975 and Dundonald between 1975 and 1978.

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From 1979 to 1981 he served with the South American Missionary Society in Chile before becoming rector of Crinken, Dublin, in 1982.

In 1986 he was appointed Incumbent of Coleraine. He became Canon of Lisburn Cathedral for the Prebendary of Kilroot in 1996.

He is married to Helen and they have four children.

The new bishop was elected at the Electoral College for the United Dioceses of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh held in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan.

He was selected by 52 members of the Electoral College, including three members of the House of Bishops, 12 elected clergy and 12 elected lay persons from the Dioceses of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. Elected clergy and lay persons from each of the other dioceses of the Northern Province also voted.

A date for his consecration has yet to be set, but it is expected to be before the end of the year.