Holy Trinity Madeira welcomes their new priest


The people of Holy Trinity Madeira celebrated the appointment and licensing of their new Priest-in-Charge, the Revd Canon John Blair, on Thursday the 9th October. Fr John is a Canon of Derry Cathedral in the Church of Ireland, having served as a parish priest and Rural Dean in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe. Prior to that John served as an Army Chaplain, serving in the UK, in Germany and Bosnia. Fr John and his wife Jean know Madeira well from past holiday times and more recently with John as a regular locum priest, and both are looking forward to bringing their particular skills and experience to their new posting.

The licensing was carried out by Fr Bob Bates, the Area Dean for Portugal with Madeira. The photograph above shows the gathering on the church steps after the service, with Fr John (extreme right) and Jean (front with blue dress) alongside the Churchwardens and friends including other church leaders on the island, and the Mayor of Funchal (right of the cross).

Holy Trinity is a lively place. Although the resident English-speaking population is quite small, the church almost always filled on Sunday mornings with the many visitors who come to the island.

We wish John and Jean and the people of Holy Trinity every blessing in their new partnership in this parish, and welcome them warmly to this Diocese in Europe.

Holy Trinity Madeira

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