Bishop of Connor
Encyclopedia
The Bishop of Connor is an episcopal
title which takes its name after the village of Connor in County Antrim
, Northern Ireland
. The title is currently used by the Church of Ireland
, but in the Roman Catholic Church
it has been united with another bishopric.
in 1111. It is located in the northeast corner of the Ireland and includes much of the city of Belfast
. By some of the Irish annalists
it was called by its territorial name The See of Dalaradia.
For a brief period in the early 12th-century, the see of Connor was united with Down
under Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair (Saint Malachy
), who also was Archbishop of Armagh
. On 29 July 1439, plans for a permanent union of the two sees were submitted to King Henry VI of England
for his sanction. Exactly twelve months later, 29 July 1439, Pope Eugene IV
issued a papal bull
stating that Down and Connor were to be united on the death or resignation of either bishop. In 1442, John Sely, Bishop of Down
, was deprived of his see by Pope Eugene IV, thereby effecting the union of the two dioceses. John Fossade, who had been bishop of Connor since 1431, became the bishop of the united see of Down and Connor
in late 1442. However, due to strong opposition to the union in the diocese of Down, three more bishops of Down
were appointed before the two sees finally united.
After the Reformation
, the united see of Down and Connor had parallel episcopal successions. In the Roman Catholic Church
, they still remain united to the present today. In the Church of Ireland
, Down and Connor were united further with Dromore
in 1842 to form the bishopric of Down, Connor and Dromore
. They continued until 1945 when they were separated into the bishopric of Down and Dromore
and the bishopric of Connor.
Diocese of Connor
, who was consecrated on 29 June 2007 at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
and enthroned there on 6 September 2007. The bishop's official residence is the Bishop's House, 113 Upper Road, Greenisland
, Carrickfergus
, County Antrim
, Northern Ireland.
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
title which takes its name after the village of Connor in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The title is currently used by the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, but in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
it has been united with another bishopric.
History
The diocese of Connor was one of the twenty-four dioceses established at the Synod of RathbreasailSynod of Rathbreasail
The Synod of Ráth Breasail took place in Ireland in 1111. It marked the transition of the Irish church from a monastic to a diocesan and parish-based church...
in 1111. It is located in the northeast corner of the Ireland and includes much of the city of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. By some of the Irish annalists
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
it was called by its territorial name The See of Dalaradia.
For a brief period in the early 12th-century, the see of Connor was united with Down
Bishop of Down
The Bishop of Down was a separate episcopal title which took its name after County Down in Northern Ireland. The see was in the town of Downpatrick where the bishop's seat was located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity....
under Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair (Saint Malachy
Saint Malachy
Saint Malachy was the Archbishop of Armagh, to whom were attributed several miracles and a vision of the identity of the last 112 Popes...
), who also was Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh
The Archbishop of Armagh is the title of the presiding ecclesiastical figure of each of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the region around Armagh in Northern Ireland...
. On 29 July 1439, plans for a permanent union of the two sees were submitted to King Henry VI of England
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
for his sanction. Exactly twelve months later, 29 July 1439, Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
issued a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
stating that Down and Connor were to be united on the death or resignation of either bishop. In 1442, John Sely, Bishop of Down
Bishop of Down
The Bishop of Down was a separate episcopal title which took its name after County Down in Northern Ireland. The see was in the town of Downpatrick where the bishop's seat was located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity....
, was deprived of his see by Pope Eugene IV, thereby effecting the union of the two dioceses. John Fossade, who had been bishop of Connor since 1431, became the bishop of the united see of Down and Connor
Bishop of Down and Connor
The Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland...
in late 1442. However, due to strong opposition to the union in the diocese of Down, three more bishops of Down
Bishop of Down
The Bishop of Down was a separate episcopal title which took its name after County Down in Northern Ireland. The see was in the town of Downpatrick where the bishop's seat was located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity....
were appointed before the two sees finally united.
After the Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
, the united see of Down and Connor had parallel episcopal successions. In the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, they still remain united to the present today. In the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, Down and Connor were united further with Dromore
Bishop of Dromore
The Bishop of Dromore is an episcopal title which takes its name after the market town of Dromore in County Down, Northern Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church the title still continues as a separate bishopric, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The...
in 1842 to form the bishopric of Down, Connor and Dromore
Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore
The Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore; comprising all County Down and County Antrim, including the city of Belfast.-History:...
. They continued until 1945 when they were separated into the bishopric of Down and Dromore
Bishop of Down and Dromore
The Bishop of Down and Dromore is the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Down and Dromore in the Province of Armagh. The diocese is situated in the north east of Ireland, which includes all of County Down, about half of the city of Belfast, and some parts of County Armagh east of the...
and the bishopric of Connor.
Present bishop
The current incumbent is the Right Reverend Alan Abernethy, Bishop of the Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
Diocese of Connor
Diocese of Connor (Church of Ireland)
The Diocese of Connor is in the Province of Armagh of the Church of Ireland.-Overview and history:Christianity has been present in Connor Diocese for over 1500 years. Tradition holds that St. Patrick herded sheep on Slemish, in the heart of the Diocese, when first brought to Ireland as a slave...
, who was consecrated on 29 June 2007 at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland...
and enthroned there on 6 September 2007. The bishop's official residence is the Bishop's House, 113 Upper Road, Greenisland
Greenisland
Greenisland is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies 7 miles north-east of Belfast and 3 miles south-west of Carrickfergus. The village is on the coast of Belfast Lough and is named after a tiny islet to the west, the Green Island....
, Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Northern Ireland.
Pre-Reformation bishops
| Pre-Reformation Bishops of Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| unknown | 1117 | Flann Ua Sculu | Died in office |
| 1117 | 1124 | See vacant | |
| 1124 | 1136/37 | Saint Malachy Saint Malachy Saint Malachy was the Archbishop of Armagh, to whom were attributed several miracles and a vision of the identity of the last 112 Popes... (Irish: Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair) |
Became bishop of Connor and Down Bishop of Down The Bishop of Down was a separate episcopal title which took its name after County Down in Northern Ireland. The see was in the town of Downpatrick where the bishop's seat was located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity.... in 1124 and Archbishop of Armagh Archbishop of Armagh The Archbishop of Armagh is the title of the presiding ecclesiastical figure of each of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the region around Armagh in Northern Ireland... in 1132; resigned Armagh and Connor circa 1136 or 1137, but retained Down until his death on 2 November 1148; also known as Saint Malachias |
| 1137/38 | bef.1152 | See vacant | |
| bef.1152 | bef.1172 | Máel Pátraic Ua Bánáin | Present at the Synod of Kells in March 1152; resigned before 1172; died 1174 |
| bef.1172 | bef.1178 | Nehemias | Died in office |
| c.1178 | 1225 | Reginaldus | Died after 19 April 1225 |
| 1226 | 1241 | Eustacius | Formerly Archdeacon of Connor; elected bishop in 1226 and received possession of the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... 5 May 1226; died before October 1241; also known as Eustace |
| 1242 | 1244 | Adam OCist | Formerly Abbot of Wardon Abbey Wardon Abbey Wardon or Warden Abbey, Bedfordshire was one of the senior Cistercian houses of England, founded about 1135 from Rievaulx Abbey.It is a Grade I listed building.- History :... ; elected bishop in 1242 and received possession of the temporalities 27 January 1242; consecrated in September 1242; died 7 November 1244 and was buried in Wardon Abbey |
| 1245 | 1256 | Isaac of Newcastle | Elected before 4 April 1245 and received possession of the temporalities 8 May 1245; died circa 6 October 1256 |
| 1257 | 1260 | William of Portroyal OSB Order of Saint Benedict The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests... |
Appointed 27 October 1257 and received possession of the temporalities 7 January 1258; died before 16 July 1260 |
| 1260 | 1262 | William de la Hay | Elected 10 October 1260; consecrated and received possession of the temporalities after 21 March 1261; acted as a suffragan bishop Suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:... in the diocese of Lincoln Diocese of Lincoln The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. The present diocese covers the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire.- History :... in 1262; died before 25 December 1262 |
| 1263 | 1274 | Robert of Flanders | Elected 3 February 1263 and received possession of the temporalities after that date; died 25 November 1274; also known as Robert le Fleming or Flandrensis |
| 1275 | 1292 | Petrus de Dunach | Elected before 2 March 1275; died before January 1292; also known as Peter of Dovenach or Donach |
| 1292 | 1319 | Johannes | Elected before 23 January 1292 and received possession of the temporalities 27 April 1293; died circa 1319; also known as John |
| c.1320 | unknown | Richard | Elected circa 1320 |
| 1321 | James of Couplith | Elected before 26 July 1321, but did not get possession of the see | |
| 1323 | John de Egglescliffe John de Egglescliffe John de Egglescliffe was a 14th century English bishop. Little is known of his personal background except that he was an Augustinian friar, and that he probably came from County Durham .... OP Dominican Order The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France... |
Translated Translation (ecclesiastical) Translation is the technical term when a Bishop is transferred from one diocese to another.This can be* From Suffragan Bishop status to Diocesan Bishop*From Coadjutor bishop to Diocesan Bishop*From one country's Episcopate to another... from Glasgow Archbishop of Glasgow The Bishop of Glasgow, from 1492 Archbishop of Glasgow, was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Glasgow and then, as Archbishop of Glasgow, the Archdiocese of Glasgow... before 5 March 1323, but did not get possession of the see; translated to Llandaff Bishop of Llandaff The Bishop of Llandaff is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff.-Area of authority:The diocese covers most of the County of Glamorgan. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul , in the village of Llandaff, just north-west of the City of... 20 June 1323 |
|
| 1323 | 1324 | Robert Wirsop OESA Order of Saint Augustine The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one... |
Translated from Ardagh Bishop of Ardagh The Bishop of Ardagh was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Ardagh in County Longford, Ireland. It was used by the Roman Catholic Church until 1756, and intermittently by the Church of Ireland until 1839.... 20 June 1323; died before May 1324 |
| 1324 | 1351 | Jacobus Ó Cethernaig | Translated from Annaghdown Bishop of Annaghdown The Bishop of Annaghdown is an episcopal title which takes its name after the small village of Annaghdown in County Galway, Ireland.... between 7 and 15 May 1324; received possession of the temporalities 22 December 1324; died 1351; also known as James O'Kearney |
| 1353 | 1374 | William Mercier | Formerly Archdeacon of Kildare; appointed bishop 8 July and consecrated after 12 August 1353; received possession of the temporalities 2 November 1353; died 1374 |
| 1374 | 1389 | Paulus | Appointed 11 December 1374 and received possession of the temporalities 10 May 1376; died 1389 |
| 1389 | c.1416 | Johannes | Elected before 29 March 1389 and received possession of the temporalities 23 July 1389; appointed 9 November 1389; died circa 1416 |
| 1420 | 1421 | Seaán Ó Luachráin | Appointed 22 May 1420; died before February 1421 |
| 1421 | 1429 | Eóghan Ó Domhnaill | Appointed 5 May 1421 and consecrated after June 1422; translated to Derry Bishop of Derry The Bishop of Derry is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:... 9 December 1429 |
| 1429 | 1431 | Domhnaill Ó Mearaich | Translated from Derry Bishop of Derry The Bishop of Derry is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:... 9 December 1429; died 28 January 1431 |
| 1431 | 1450 | John Fossade | Appointed 28 January and consecrated after 2 June 1431; became Bishop of Down and Connor Bishop of Down and Connor The Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland... in late 1442, although did not get full control; died in the spring of 1450; also known as John Festade |
| After the union of Down and Connor Bishop of Down and Connor The Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland... , there were two further bishops of Connor. Their position is uncertain and they may have been suffragan Suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:... or titular bishop Titular bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place... s. |
|||
| 1459 | Patricius | He is said to have died before his letters of appointment were drawn up in 1459 | |
| 1459 | 1481 | Simon Elvington OP | Appointed by Pope Pius II Pope Pius II Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family... on 12 February 1459; acted as a suffragan bishop in the dioceses of Salisbury Diocese of Salisbury The Diocese of Salisbury is a Church of England diocese in the south of England. The diocese covers Dorset and most of Wiltshire and is a constituent diocese of the Province of Canterbury. The diocese is led by the Bishop of Salisbury and the diocesan synod... and Exeter Diocese of Exeter The Diocese of Exeter is a Church of England diocese covering the county of Devon. It is one of the largest dioceses in England. The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter is the seat of the diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter. It is part of the Province of... 1459-1481, and vicar Vicar In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant... of Gillingham Gillingham, Dorset Gillingham is a town in the Blackmore Vale area of Dorset, England. The town is the most northerly in the county. It is 3 miles south of the A303 lying on the B3092 and B3081. It is near to the town of Shaftesbury which lies 7 miles to the south east. Neighbouring hamlets included Peacemarsh, Bay... 1463-1475; died in 1481 |
Church of Ireland bishops
| Church of Ireland Bishops of Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1945 | 1956 | Charles King Irwin Charles King Irwin Charles King Irwin was an eminent Irish clergyman in the middle third of the 20th century.Born on 30 March 1874 into an eminent ecclesiastical family, he was ordained in 1898 and began his career with a curacy at Brantry, after which he was Vicar of Derrynoose and then Middletown... |
Elected and confirmed Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore The Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore; comprising all County Down and County Antrim, including the city of Belfast.-History:... in 1942; relinquished Down and Dromore on 31 December 1944/1 January 1945, but retained Connor; resigned 31 May 1956; died 15 January 1960 |
| 1956 | 1969 | Cyril Elliott | Elected 28 June and consecrated 21 September 1956; resigned 31 August 1969; died 3 April 1977 |
| 1969 | 1981 | Arthur Butler | Translated Translation (ecclesiastical) Translation is the technical term when a Bishop is transferred from one diocese to another.This can be* From Suffragan Bishop status to Diocesan Bishop*From Coadjutor bishop to Diocesan Bishop*From one country's Episcopate to another... from Tuam, Killala and Achonry; elected 16 September and confirmed 14 October 1969; resigned 30 September 1981 |
| 1981 | 1987 | William John McCappin | Elected 28 October and consecrated 30 November 1981; retired in 1987; died 3 July 1992 |
| 1987 | 1995 | Samuel Poyntz | Translated from Cork, Cloyne and Ross Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is the Church of Ireland Ordinary of the united Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in the Province of Dublin.... ; elected and confirmed in 1987; retired 10 March 1995 |
| 1995 | 2001 | Jimmy Moore Jimmy Moore (bishop) James Edward Moore was an eminent Irish clergyman in the late of the 20th and early 21st centuries.Born into an ecclesiastical family in 1933, educated at Trinity College, Dublin and ordained in 1957, he began his career with curacies at St Columba, Knock and St Comgall, Bangor.After this he was... |
Elected 31 March and consecrated 25 May 1995; retired 2001; died 16 March 2005 |
| 2002 | 2007 | Alan Harper | Elected 17 December 2001 and consecrated 18 March 2002; translated to Armagh Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh is the ecclesiastical head of the Church of Ireland, the metropolitan of the Province of Armagh and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Armagh.... 16 March 2007 |
| 2007 | present | Alan Abernethy | Appointed 17 April 2007, consecrated 29 June 2007, and enthroned 6 September 2007. |
See also
- Bishop of DownBishop of DownThe Bishop of Down was a separate episcopal title which took its name after County Down in Northern Ireland. The see was in the town of Downpatrick where the bishop's seat was located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity....
- Bishop of Down and ConnorBishop of Down and ConnorThe Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick and the village of Connor in Northern Ireland...
- Bishop of Down, Connor and DromoreBishop of Down, Connor and DromoreThe Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore; comprising all County Down and County Antrim, including the city of Belfast.-History:...
- Bishop of Down and DromoreBishop of Down and DromoreThe Bishop of Down and Dromore is the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Down and Dromore in the Province of Armagh. The diocese is situated in the north east of Ireland, which includes all of County Down, about half of the city of Belfast, and some parts of County Armagh east of the...
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor