22.07.2009
The Revd Paul Houston Appointed Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla
It has been announced today that the Revd Paul Houston, Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole will be the new Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla. He will succeed the Revd Andrew Orr who left the Diocese in May 2009 to become Rector of Tullow.
The Revd [William] Paul Houston was born in 1954 in Belfast and was educated at the Boys Model Secondary School, Belfast and Methodist College, Belfast. After study at Queen's University, Belfast where he graduated with a BSSc in Economics and Politics in 1976, he worked for a few years in Chartered Accountancy. In 1978 he went on to train for ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland Theological College [now Institute]. He was ordained a Deacon in 1981 and a Priest the following year.
He initially served as Curate of Carrickfergus in the Diocese of Connor from 1981-1983 and then as Curate of St Comgall's Church, Bangor in the Diocese of Down from 1983 to 1986. His first incumbency was as Rector of Gilford in the same Diocese from 1986 to 1990, following his time there he became Rector of Carnalea, Bangor in Co Down from 1990 to 1999. Since 1999 he has been Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole in the Diocese of Dublin. As well as serving there he has also served as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education and its Executive, Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers' Union and as a Minor Canon of St Patrick's Cathedral. He has also acted as Rural Dean of Ballymore and Salmon Leap in the Diocese of Glendalough.
Reacting to his appointment to Castleknock, the Revd Paul Houston said, "I've really enjoyed working in Clondalkin and Rathcoole and I've received wonderful support from the parishioners there. While I'll miss working closely with the people there I am also looking forward to the new challenge of serving in Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla and continuing service in the Church."
A date has not yet been set for the institution.
