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LORD EAMES
Robin Eames was born in Belfast in 1937. He was educated at the Belfast Royal Academy and Methodist College. He studied for a Doctor of Laws degree at Queen's University of Belfast, and completed a Ph.D. degree in Ecclesiastical Law and History in 1963. Soon after he was appointed curate assistant at Bangor Parish Church, becoming then went to St Dorothea's in Belfast three years later.
In the 1966, he married Christine Daly. In 1974, he was appointed rector of St Mark's in Belfast. Then in 1975, at the age of 38, he was appointed bishop of the diocese of Derry and Raphoe In 1980, he went to serve in the diocese of Down and Dromore. From 1986 to 2006, he served as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Lord Eames led the church during the worst years of the Troubles. In 1995, Lord Eames, was awarded a life peerage, in recognition of his work for peace in Ireland.
During his time as Primate Lord Eames served: as Chairperson of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on "Communion and Women in the Episcopate", 1988-89. as Chairperson of the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission, in 1991, and in 2003 - 2004 he was Chairperson of the Lambeth Commission on Communion.
When in 2006, he announced his retirement as Primate, he reflected on his experience: “ I saw the heights of compassion and nobility as well as the weakness and evil of human character, the struggle to maintain normality and preach the Gospel imperatives in a society which was driven to the edge but always managed to keep going, the suffering of families and those numerous funeral services in parishes across this Province. Now the struggle to build a new society of justice, equality and reconciliation demands renewed faith and renewed courage.”
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In 2005, his autobiography was writen by Alf McCleary and published.
In 2006, he was awarded the highest award of the Anglican Communion - the Archbishop of Canterbury's Award for Outstanding Service to the Anglican Communion.
In 2007, he was further awarded the Order of Merit by the HM Queen Elizabeth - one of Britian's highest honours -- for exceptional contribution to the arts, learning, sciences and other areas.received the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II, this is an exclusive orderwhich is the personal gift of the Queen.
In 2007, he was appointed co-chairperson, of the Consultative Group on the Past in Northern Ireland, an independent group which has been established to consult across the community on the best way to deal with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland.
