New Bishop of Connor’s ordination date announced

The Venerable George Davison’s appointment to the role was announced by the Church of Ireland earlier this year before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

In an update yesterday (Wednesday), the Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said: “Now that churches have once again opened for more general worship, it is possible to plan for the ordination and consecration of the Ven George Davison, Rector of St Nicholas, Carrickfergus, and Archdeacon of Belfast, as Bishop of Connor.

“Archdeacon Davison was elected to the vacant office on 17th February 2020 and it has been very unfortunate that the restrictions around assembly and movement have prevented a service of this kind from taking place sooner.

“The service is planned for Thursday, 3rd September (the feast of St Oenghus MacNissi of Connor), in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, at 4.00pm. The co-consecrators along with myself will be the Bishop of Meath and Kildare and the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. The preacher will be the Rt Revd Kenneth Clarke, formerly Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

“Because it is likely that churches will still be operating under strict rules of social distancing in September, attendance will be limited to the family, close friends and colleagues of the bishop-elect, with an opportunity for a more expansive liturgical event at a future date in Belfast Cathedral. However, the service in Armagh will be streamed and recorded.

“I would ask you to keep the bishop-elect and his family in your prayers as he prepares for his episcopal ordination.”

Speaking in February, Mr Davison said: “The members of the Electoral College for the Diocese of Connor have done me a great honour in electing me to serve as the next bishop of the diocese. 
I am very conscious of the great responsibility that is being entrusted to me.”

The bishop-elect succeeds the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy who retired at the end of December. Mr Davison was ordained in 1992 and began his ministry in the Diocese of Armagh as Curate of St Mark’s, Portadown (1992-1995). He has served as Rector of Carrickfergus since 2009 and Archdeacon of Belfast since 2013.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Armagh also announced the Episcopal Electoral College for the Diocese of Clogher will have its first meeting on Wednesday, September 2, in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, commencing with a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am.

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