11 August 2020

Archdeacon Wayne Carney
(1952-2020), a priest,
a friend and a colleague

With Archdeacon Wayne Carney (left) and the then Dean of Killaloe, the Very Revd Gary Paulsen (right), when the Church of Ireland General Synod met in Limerick

Patrick Comerford

It is sad to learn of the sudden death of my friend and colleague, the Ven Wayne Carney, who was Archdeacon of Killaloe, Rector of Birr, Co Offaly, and Prebendary of Taney in the Chapter of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

Wayne’s sudden death on Monday (10 August 2020) robs the Church and the Diocese of a priest of the highest calibre and an outstanding pastor.

Wayne Carney has been Archdeacon of Killaloe, Kilfenora, Clonfert and Kilmacduagh since 2002.

Wayne Carney was born in 1952 and grew up in south-west Ontario.

After graduating BA from the University of Toronto, he taught in primary schools in Toronto for eight years. After receiving a Master of Divinity from Trinity College Toronto, in 1984, he was ordained deacon in 1984 and priest in 1985.

He was a curate in Scarborough, Toronto, and then the incumbent at Roche’s Point, Newmarket, Ontario, in the Diocese of Toronto from 1984. He came to Ireland in 1995, first as Rector of the Clonfert Cathedral Group of Parishes (1995-2003) and then as Rector of the Birr Group of Parish from 2003.

He was appointed Archdeacon of Killaloe and Clonfert in 2002. He became the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan member of the Chapter of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, as Prebendary of Taney, in 2012.

His many roles in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe included those of president of the United Diocesan Youth Council, Warden of Lay Readers, and Diocesan Director of Ordinands. He was a keen supporter of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). Wayne was a supportive and active participant in the monthly seminars and training days I organised for clergy and readers in the diocese.

Wayne married Norma-Jean in 1973, and they are the parents of two adult children: Kathleen, who is married and living in France with two children, and Brian, who is married and living in Canada with two children.

Bishop Kenneth Kearon said: ‘It’s impossible to describe the shock and sadness we all feel at Wayne’s sudden passing. He was a good and loyal friend, a true pastor and an able and caring Archdeacon. He will be greatly missed by the church communities in Birr and beyond where his ecumenical commitment and community engagement was well known. He served his diocese in many roles and was widely known and respected throughout the church and in wider society.’

The Dean of Killaloe, the Very Revd Rod Smyth, is working with the family on the funeral arrangements which will be announced later.

2 comments:

Janet McKee said...

Very sad. My condolences to all concerned.

Karen Robertson said...

Thank you for such a lovely and loving tribute to my brother-in-law Wayne. He will be well and truly missed. It is very difficult for our family not to be able to travel to support Norma Jean at this difficult time. I am so grateful she is surrounded by those who cared for Wayne and appreciated his many many talents. Karen M. Robertson