Church of Ireland bishops, clergy and lay members will meet next month to elect a new bishop of Cashel and Ossory, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, said yesterday.
The see has been vacant since the resignation of Dr Peter Barrett last month.
The 50-year-old bishop resigned after he separated from his wife. The couple have three children.
Yesterday Dr Neill convened a meeting of the episcopal electoral college for March 31st to fill the vacancy.
The new bishop will have responsibility for the dioceses of Cashel, Waterford and Lismore, with Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin.
The electoral college consists of the Archbishop of Dublin; three other Church of Ireland bishops; and 48 clerical and lay representatives from Cashel and Ossory and other dioceses.
The group will attend a Holy Communion service at 11am in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin before conducting their deliberations in private.
They may elect a current bishop, or a priest, over 30 years of age to the vacant see.
The successful nominee must receive the votes of at least two-thirds of the clergy and two-thirds of the laity.
If the college is unable to reach a decision, the appointment will pass to the House of Bishops.
A result is likely to become known between 3pm and 5pm on March 31st.
Dr Barrett announced his resignation on January 25th, saying he was "unable in all conscience" to serve as bishop. He asked for forgiveness from his parishioners and colleagues and expressed his profound sorrow to his wife and children.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/7e460536-4b39-4a5e-b74b-a115823c9e15.png)