Next Bishop of Clogher elected

THE next Bishop of Clogher in the Church of Ireland is the Rector of Rossorry, Canon Ian William Ellis, it was announced on Monday. Canon Ellis was elected during an online meeting of the electoral college to succeeds the Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh since April (News, 13 March). Canon Ellis’s consecration date has yet to be announced. He was a physics teacher before his ordination in 1989. He later served for 11 years as Rector of Loughgall and Grange, in Armagh diocese, before becoming secretary, for 13 years, to the Church of Ireland Board of Education. Since moving to Rossorry, Canon Ellis has been a clerk of the Cathedral Chapter and a member of the Diocesan Council. Archbishop McDowell said: “Everyone who knows Canon Ellis will have been impressed by the dedication, pastoral care, and intelligence which he has brought to his vocation.” Canon Ellis said that he was “deeply humbled” by his election.

‘Wall of Prayer’ to fund social housing

PROFITS raised from the new national landmark Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer are to fund the equivalent of one million bricks — a brick for each answered prayer — that are to be donated to social-housing projects, the organisers have announced. Planning permission for the 169-ft high structure was granted in September (News, 18 September). Construction is due to begin next spring on a site near Coleshill, on the outskirts of Birmingham, creating an estimated 60 jobs. Once complete, the project is expected to attract 300,000 visitors annually, generate 20 full-time jobs, and an additional gross social value of £1.4 billion, including £430 million in charitable donations. The chief executive of the project, Richard Gamble, said: “We have been clear since the start that the project needed to sow back into the great work that charitable organisations are doing across the country. Social housing is at a crisis point in the UK, and it is our hope that we can play a small part in supporting those most in need.”