TRIBUTES have been paid to a senior Church of Ireland cleric who has died at the age of 90.
Reverend Dr Samuel Poyntz, a former Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and Bishop of Connor, died peacefully on Saturday.
Born in 1926 in Manitoba, Canada, Bishop Poyntz later attended Portora Royal School in Enniskillen before continuing his education at Trinity College, Dublin.
He was ordained a deacon in 1950, a priest in 1951 and consecrated as a bishop in 1978.
Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, described Rev Poyntz as "a great bishop".
"I found him to be a decisive, practical and vigorous Christian leader but also someone who was deeply caring and supportive of his clergy, in short a great bishop," he said.
A private family funeral followed by a Service of Thanksgiving will take place on Saturday at 11.30am at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
