As the world watched the College of Cardinals elect Pope Leo XIV just 17 days after the death of his predecessor, it was hard not to reflect — with a smile — on the fact that this seamless papal succession took far less time than the interview process leading to my own appointment as Editor of the Gazette! I admit that the stakes are quite different (there was no smoke over the Lisburn office), but both transitions speak to a broader truth: the importance of innovation that honours continuity.
It reminds us that renewal in leadership is not a moment of rupture, but an act of faithful stewardship. The past is not set aside, but carried forward and reimagined in light of today’s challenges. Pope Leo now lends a new voice to the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, and in a humbler but no less heartfelt way, I hope to offer a fresh voice for the Gazette: one grounded in our Anglican heritage. You can read more about my vision for the future of this newspaper on page 18.
Over the course of issues to come, I am sure you will get to know me. My background is a blend of practical and pastoral experience. I grew up in the Church of England, shaped by liturgical traditions which some might perceive to be higher up the candle. It was through the discipline and beauty of cathedral music that faith first took hold in me: not as something imposed, but as something lived and slowly believed.
Having studied music at the University of York, I moved to Dublin in 2020 to begin my PhD at Trinity College Dublin. Since then, I’ve taught in boarding schools, worked in cathedrals, managed operations for educational agencies, and developed safeguarding praxis for churches.
I’ve also spent years behind the scenes: live-streaming services, managing websites, proofreading newsletters, and overseeing social media. In short, I know the value of detail. And I understand how many people it takes to make church life function, not just in the sanctuary, but in the vestry, the hall, and the office.
Alongside all this, I’ve written. (Not as much of my doctorate as I would like!) Articles, policy documents, school reports, scripts, and speeches. I like clear writing that doesn’t try too hard. I hope this provides a sure foundation for this newspaper. I am currently based up in Co. Donegal, which — despite being considered very far away by most on this island — provides me with surprisingly easy access to the North and to Dublin; however, I hope to be a physical presence at many events across all the dioceses too.
This role brings together so many of the things I care about. It also comes at a time when Christian journalism matters more than ever. In a world of fast-paced and short-lived experiences, we need spaces for thoughtful reflection and the kind of conversation that listens before it speaks.