Ministry of Archibishop of Dublin to Date

Ministry as Archbishop of Dublin to Date

Since his enthronement as Archbishop of Dublin, Archbishop Neill has kept a high public profile and has spoken out strongly on major issues facing Irish society including immigration and the integration of the ‘new Irish’, the limitations of materialistic values, and the importance of maintaining a pluralist ethos in Irish society, particularly in the provision of Education and the Health services. On international issues, he has been strongly critical of the war in Iraq. During his period in office to date he was heavily involved in attempts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the occupation of St Patrick’s Cathedral by over 40 Afghan Asylum seekers in May 2006 (the Gardaí eventually convinced the group to leave peacefully). His episcopacy has also seen the retirement of fellow-Primate, the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames and the election of his successor as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Alan Harper in January 2007. Archbishop Neill has also enjoyed throughout this period, a warm friendship with his colleague, the Most Revd Dr Diarmuid Martin, who became the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin not long after his own move to the capital city.

Other Interests

Both the Archbishop and his wife enjoy travel and have spent a great deal of time in France in the last twenty years, as well as travelling on church links in Scandinavia, China, Egypt and America

The Archbishop has a keen interest in photography.

More Links

Early life, education and early ministry
Ordination of Women and Ecumenism