Very Rev Dr William Morton, from Derry, has been given Freedom of the City of London, marking yet another milestone in what’s been a landmark year for the Church of Ireland Dean.
In May of this year, Dean Morton was elected to one of the most high-profile positions in the Church of Ireland, when he was appointed to Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, the national cathedral of the Church.
Born in 1956, Dean Morton attended Trinity College Dublin and was ordained a priest in 1989.
Having served at Drumchose, Co Derry, and Conwal in Donegal, he became Dean of St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry, in 1997.
Dean Morton has now had the Freedom of the City of London bestowed upon him at a ceremony held in the city’s Guildhall..
Rev Dr Morton was nominated by Sir David Wootton, a former Lord Mayor of London and now Governor of the Honourable The Irish Society and by Roger Chadwick, the Deputy Governor.
The Freedom Parchment, along with the Rules of Conduct of Life was presented to Dean Morton in the Chamberlain’s Court by Paul Double CVO, the Remembrancer of the City of London.
At a celebratory lunch afterwards, Rev Dr Morton paid tribute to the Governor, the Deputy Governor and all involved for their kindness and for the support they had and continued to show him.
“This is a tremendous privilege,” he said.
The Freedom of the City of London is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
Today people are nominated for, or apply for, the Freedom as it offers them a link with the historic city of London and one of its ancient traditions.
Unfortunately, many of the so–called traditional privileges associated with the Freedom of the City no longer exist, meaning the Dean will be unable to drive sheep over London bridge should he ever wish to.
Photo shows Dean Morton (left) with Edward Montgomery, the Honourable the Irish Society at the Freedom of the London ceremony in London's Guildhall.
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