Archbishop Eames to Head International Peace Team to Korea

The former Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland, Dr Robin Eames, who stepped down from his position at the turn of the New Year, has announced he is to head an international peace team to Korea.

He will now take up the position as a global peace mediator in one of the most politically unstable regions in the world, the Irish Independent has reported.

Dr Eames said he stepped down following much prayer and reflection, deciding that it was finally time for him to "move on" from the position he has held for 20 years.

It is believed that the Archbishop of Dublin, John Neill, might now be promoted to the vacant position in Armagh. As a close collaborator with Archbishop Eames in the day to day running of the national affairs in the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Neill, formerly bishop in the dioceses of Tuam and Cashel, has a good knowledge of the internal working of the position, explains Virtue Online.

However, Dr Neill, known as a strong ecumenist, could face opposition from evangelical bishops in the North including the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Harold Miller.

Ruth Gledhill's blog, as republished on Virtue Online has contained more information on the new Korean role that Archbishop Eames will now take up:

"Besides continuing to advise the Archbishop of Canterbury on the gay crisis, it appears that the Anglican church's main troubleshooter is going to be asked to bring the skills of mediation learned in Ireland to bear on the crisis in North and South Korea. The details are patchy still, and Lambeth Palace will say more in the next few days. A spokesman said: 'Obviously, when looking for the Anglican Communion's expert on divided communities, there is only one name in the frame. He is going to have a look at issues in Korea. We are at the stage of looking at whether we might become involved in that situation. It is hoped he will make a unique contribution to whatever the church is able to do.'

"Eames made his retirement announcment to hundreds of clergy in the closing minutes of his presidential address to the General Synod of the Church of Ireland in Armagh. He revealed afterwards that he had informed the Archbishop of Canterbury beforehand and that Rowan Williams had one more task for him in his remaining seven month. 'He has handed me another project, described as another hot potato, and I am looking forward to the challenge of that,' the Press Association reported. Lambeth Palace confirmed late Tuesday evening that the 'hot potato' was Korea."