Paul Colton

William Paul Colton is the Church of Ireland's Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Though he is perhaps more famous for being the priest who officiated at the wedding of footballer David Beckham and Spice girl Victoria Adams on July 4, 1999 at the medieval Luttrellstown Castle on the outskirts of Dublin.

He was consecrated bishop at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Thursday 25 March 1999 -- the Feast of the Annunciation. He was enthroned in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork on 24th April 1999, in St. Colman's Cathedral, Cloyne on 13th May 1999, and in St. Fachtna's Cathedral, Ross on 28th May 1999.

His hobbies include both Canon law and Manchester United Football Team. He was also a member of St. Fin Barre's Cathedral Scout Troop, the 2nd Cork, Scouting Ireland S.A.I. (now Scouting Ireland).

[edit] Ecclesiastical career

Curate of Lisburn St. Paul (Connor) 1984 - 1987
Bishop's Domestic Chaplain (Connor) 1985 - 1990
Vicar Choral Belfast Cathedral (St. Anne) 1987 - 1990
Minor Canon Belfast Cathedral ( St. Anne) 1989 - 1990
Incumbent of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla (Dublin) 1990 - 1999
Priest Vicar, Registrar and Chapter Clerk of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin 1990 - 1995
Rural Dean of St. Mary's ( Dublin) 1994 - 1999
Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin 1997 - 1999
Chairman Connor Youth Council 1986 - 1990
Member of Interchurch Marriages Preparation Course 1991 - 1998
Co-ordinator of Religious Programmes involving the Protestant Churches at Radio Teilifis Eireann 1993 - 1999
Hon. Chaplain, Actors Church Union 1994 ~ 1997 Area Chaplain (Ireland) 1996 - 1997
Member of Central Committee, Conference of European Churches 1992 - 1997
Church of Ireland Representative at the Porvoo Conversations and Porvoo Communion Contact Group 1989 - 1999
Secretary of the Church of Ireland General Synod 1999
Research Associate at the Centre for Law and Religion, Cardiff Law School, Cardiff University, 2006
Member of the General Committee of the Ecclesiastical Law Society, 2006