The Venerable Andrew Forster has been elected as the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe today.
Archdeacon Forster succeeds the Rt Revd Ken Good who retired at the end of May this year.
Archdeacon Forster has been Rector of Drumglass (Dungannon), in the Diocese of Armagh, since 2007, and Archdeacon of Ardboe since 2015.
His election was announced today that the Episcopal Electoral College for the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe meeting in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.
The bishop-elect said: “I am very much looking forward to beginning a new chapter in ministry and getting to know the diocese. I am very humbled by the fact that the Church has put its trust in me to take that role.”
Bishop-elect Forster is pictured (right) alongside the Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev’d Dr Richard Clarke, Primate of All Ireland
The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said: “We wish Andrew Forster every blessing on his election. I have known Andrew since he was eight years old. He has been a great colleague as an archdeacon in Armagh diocese and I know that he will bring great gifts to his new responsibilities.”
Following approval by the House of Bishops, the bishop-elect will be consecrated as a bishop on a date to be determined.