THE Most Rev Walton Empey, Bishop of Meath and Kildare, was yesterday elected the new. Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Bishop of Glendalough, and Primate of Ireland.
Following his election, he pledged himself to ecumenism and to enhancing the role of the Church of Ireland in public life.
In particular, he said he would like to see more members of the church involved in politics and joining the Army and the Garda.
He was elected as the new archbishop after four ballots in the Electoral College, which is made up of equal numbers of lay and clerical representatives. A two thirds majority in each group is required.
The names of the other candidates were not disclosed, but it is understood that two or three others were nominated.
The proceedings began with a service of Holy Communion at Christ Church Cathedral at 10.30 a.m, celebrated by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames. The college members then began their discussions which in the morning were mainly concerned with the qualities required in the new archbishop, followed by nominations.
They resumed at 2 p.m. after lunch to discuss the candidates in detail, and at about 4 p.m. the first vote took place. It is understood that the nominee with the lowest number of votes then dropped out, and the college proceeded to the next vote, which took place at 4.30 p.m.
This was followed by a third vote at 4.50 p.m., and a fourth at about 5.05 p.m.
Dr Eames then made a telephone call to the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Rt Rev Michael Mayes, Bishop of Kilmore, who was required to the ratify the election.
At 5.15 p.m., the waiting journalists heard applause from the Chapter House where the election was taking place, and shortly afterwards Dr Eames came out to announce Archbishop Empey's election.
The Archbishop of Dublin is also Primate of Ireland, which in practical terms means a responsibility for the five dioceses in the Dublin province. As well as, Dublin and Glendalough, this includes Meath and Kildare, Cashel and Waterford, Cork, Cloyne and Ross and Limerick and Killaloe. Dr Empey has served as bishop in two of these dioceses - Meath and Kildare and Limerick and Killaloe.
Speaking after his election, Bishop Empey said the election "had followed "a lot of prayer, a lot of thinking, a lot of talking". He said he was very conscious of his two immediate predecessors, Archbishops Donald Caird and Henry McAdoo, who were profound scholars. "I'm not. But what I have, I offer."
Asked what he felt his qualities were, he said that, while it was always difficult to judge oneself, all his experience had been pastoral. "My whole motivation, since. I was ordained here almost 38, years ago, has been pastoral. I." have never been involved in teaching, theology or philosophy. I was in a mission parish in Canada, then a lumber town there, then a rural parish here. Most of my experience has been rural.
He added that he was aware of the different demands of a mainly urban diocese. "I have a lot to learn," he said.
Asked if he thought the Church, of Ireland had a role to play in developing Irish society as a pluralist society, he said: "Yes. I would like to see more involved in politics. One of those who elected me today was a county councillor. I would like, to see more. And I'd like to see more in the Army and the Garda Siochana, though that is improving.
"I'm the only bishop to have served in the FCA," he said. "One thing I feel very strongly about is the work of the Army in the UN - the 79th Battalion is in Lebanon at the moment - I've been out to visit them in Lebanon four times. They have a great gift for getting on with local people."
Asked about his relations with the Catholic Church, he said: "My relations with the Catholic Church were always excellent. I hope that will continue. But ecumenism must take place at local level. Otherwise, all the documents in the world won't do it."
Bishop Empey is 62. He and his wife, Louisa, have three sons and a daughter.