The fourth generation of his family to become a clergyman, John Neill was educated in Dublin at the Avoca School and at Sandford Park. He attended Trinity College Dublin studying Hebrew and oriental languages winning a scholarship in 1965 and graduating in 1966. He subsequently studied at Jesus College and Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He became a deacon in 1969, a priest in 1970, and a bishop in 1986.[1]
At the Lambeth Conference in 1988 he proposed all the approved resolutions in respect of Women in the Episcopate and was chairman of the Church of Ireland General Synod Committee on Ordination of Women (1988–91). He has served on many central committees of the Church of Ireland covering issues such as liturgical reform, education, communications, ministry, Christian unity and synodical structures. He was co-founder and chairman of the Church of Ireland/Methodist Church Joint Theological Working Party. [citation needed]
Family
Neill and his wife Betty have three sons:
The Reverend Canon Stephen Neill, Rector of Celbridge