Former journalist the Rev Patrick Comerford was installed yesterday as a canon of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin along with the Rev Katharine Poulton, the first woman to be ordained a deacon to the Church of Ireland.
They were installed as canons by the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev Desmond Harman, at a ceremony also attended by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill.
As canons, a largely honorary role, they become members of the chapter of Christ Church and have a say in the cathedral's business.
Canon Comerford, who worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, including as foreign desk editor of The Irish Times, is director of spiritual formation at the Church of Ireland Theological College.
He also serves as a minister in Whitechurch parish in Rathfarnham. He is married to Barbara Comerford and they have two sons.
Canon Poulton serves as bishop's curate at St George's and St Thomas's Church in Cathal Brugha Street, is Mountjoy prison chaplain and chaplain at the Mater hospital.
Canon Poulton has been heavily involved in ministry to her parish's large immigrant population and the Cathal Brugha Street church is one of the centres of the diocese's "Discovery" services, which promote outreach to people of all nationalities.
She is married to the Rev Ian Poulton, rector of Killiney, with a son and daughter. They live in Killiney.