30.06.2024
The Revd Dr Leonard Madden Appointed to Christ Church, Bray
The Revd Dr Leonard Madden has been appointed as the new Rector of Christ Church, Bray in the Diocese of Dublin. The appointment was announced in Bray and in Limerick, where he currently serves as Curate Assistant, this morning (Sunday June 30).
Leonard was educated at University College Cork, where he studied English and Philosophy, completed a doctoral thesis on Samuel Beckett’s early poems and prose, and taught in the Department of English. He subsequently studied in Trinity College, and in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. During his time at CITI, he was awarded the Corkey, Elrington Theological, Downes Divinity Essay, and Weir Prizes.
He was ordained to the diaconate in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, in 2020, following which he served as Deacon Intern in Blessington Union of Parishes. Since 2021 he has served as Curate Assistant in Limerick City Parish.
Having grown up in west Cork, Leonard is married to Catherine, who is the Operations Executive of the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland, and they have a rescue greyhound called Rosie.
Following this morning’s announcement Leonard said he was looking forward to this next phase in his ministry.
“I’ve had a very rewarding experience as Curate Assistant in Limerick City Parish. I am grateful to the Dean for his thorough teaching, which will stand me in great stead as Rector of Bray. I am, of course, sorry to be leaving my friends in Limerick – both Catherine and I have been so warmly welcomed here over the last three years – but we are really looking forward to making our new home in Bray, and to making new friends there. I am very excited about this new stage of ministry, and look forward to engaging in and encouraging the ecumenism and hospitality that has so characterized the Christian witness of Bray over the years,” he commented.