29.11.2024
New Trinity College Dublin Dean of Residence and Chaplain Appointed
The Archbishop of Dublin has appointed Canon Paul Arbuthnot as Dean of Residence and Chaplain to Trinity College Dublin. Canon Arbuthnot will take up the post on January 1 2025. He is currently Vicar of the Parish of St Ann with St Stephen and St Mark.
Originally from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, Canon Arbuthnot spent his childhood as a chorister of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. He was educated at Downshire School, Carrickfergus, Belfast Royal Academy and read History at Trinity College Dublin. During his time as an undergraduate and postgraduate he was a Lay Vicar of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.
He was made deacon in 2010 and ordained priest in 2011 in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. He served his curacy in St Paul’s, Glenageary. He subsequently became Precentor of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire and Sacrist of Westminster Abbey. On his return to the Church of Ireland in 2018 he became Rector of Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes and was elected a Chapter Canon at St Patrick’s Cathedral in 2021.
Making the announcement, Archbishop Michael Jackson wished Paul well in his new ministry. “I am very pleased that Canon Arbuthnot has accepted my invitation to be Dean of Residence and Chaplain of Trinity College. Paul is a graduate of the university and he will greatly enjoy returning in a different role to a place he knows and loves. I want to pay tribute to Father Yesu who has given us three precious months of his time and to express my appreciation as he returns to the Diocese of New York. He has given us the best of India and America in his pastoral faithfulness to his charge,” he said.
The Archbishop continued: “Over the years Trinity has built a strong ecumenical team. The College Chapel now holds an interesting place for the members of the university as people seek to express joy and sorrow within the opportunities afforded by the churches in their alma mater. I wish Paul everything that is best as he begins a new ministry in the heart of the city of Dublin”.
Looking forward to taking up his new post, Canon Arbuthnot said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Dean of Residence and Chaplain of Trinity College Dublin. It is a place I know and love well, having read History as an undergraduate there. I look forward to getting to know the staff and students of the college and being a Christian presence among them. I also look forward to exploring with them the interface of faith in a pluralistic environment. The life of the chapel and Church of Ireland chaplaincy takes an important and vibrant role in the life of the college and I look forward to taking my place in it and encouraging it to flourish”.