The Anglican Archbishop John McDowell has taken up his role as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
Bishop McDowell succeeds Archbishop Richard Clarke who retired in February.
The 64-year-old was ordained in 1996 and has served as Bishop of Clogher in the Church of Ireland since 2011.
Bishop McDowell grew up in Belfast and pursued a career in business before being ordained.
He has a history degree from Queen's University Belfast, a diploma in business studies from the London School of Economics and a BTh in Theology and Biblical Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
After his ordination he served as curate of Antrim, in the Diocese of Connor.
He was elected Bishop of Clogher in May 2011 and consecrated as bishop in September of that year.
In an article published on a number of Church of Ireland websites this morning the Archbishop has called for reconciliation.
He says old social systems and ways of life are being unmade and new systems and habits and attitudes will have to be brought together to replace them.
"Sometimes the most challenging and important questions are the most simple. We all want peace, how do we obtain it?
"If someone was to ask me that same question about Ireland, or about the world that will emerge from the profound insecurity caused by the coronavirus, I'm not sure I would have the answer."
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland has welcomed Archbishop McDowell's first day in office.
In a statement Archbishop Eamon Martin has said he and Archbishop McDowell have been in frequent contact online recently to discuss the pastoral and social implications of the Covid-19 crisis.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev Dr William Henry, said Archbishop John could be assured of his prayers for the future and those of the Church family across Ireland.
