Diocese of Down and Connor
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor, is a Roman Catholic
diocese
in the north-eastern part of Ireland
. It is one of eight suffragan diocese
s in the ecclesiastical province
of Armagh and is subject to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh. The incumbent is Dr Noel Treanor
.
Antrim
and Down
, stretching from Portrush
and Portstewart
to Kilkeel
. The population of the diocese is about one million, of which approximately 30% are Roman Catholic. The diocese is Ireland's largest in terms of territory and second largest in terms of population.
In 1670, as an effect of the Reformation, wars, and penal laws, in the whole of Down and Connor there were only 2500 Catholic families. When at length the pressure of penal legislation was removed Catholicism revived rapidly. In the period 1810-1840 no less than forty new Roman Catholic churches were built. The progress thus made under Dr Crolly
(1825–1835) and Dr Denvir
(1835–65) was continued under Dr Dorrian
(1865–86) and Dr MacAlister
(1886–95); but none showed greater energy and zeal than Dr Henry
(1895–1908).
Priests in Down & Connor serve in Parish Ministry, School Chaplaincy, Hospital Chaplaincy, Youth Work, Prison Chaplaincy, The Media, Teaching in universities and teacher training colleges and Teaching and Chaplaincy in secondary and grammar schools.
Priests on the missions are often involved in the same work but their parish could be in Kenya, Peru, Korea, Canada or any other country in our vast world.
(The Down and Connor Directory 2011)
, Bishop Anthony Farquhar
and Bishop Donal McKeown
met with Pope Benedict XVI
on the first morning of their visit. They spoke with the Pope
for 20 minutes privately in which they discussed things like Education
, child sexual abuse
, peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland
.
The following is a basic list of the Roman Catholic bishops and vicars apostolic.
Auxiliary Bishops
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...
diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in the north-eastern part of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is one of eight suffragan diocese
Suffragan Diocese
A suffragan diocese is a diocese in the Catholic Church that is overseen not only by its own diocesan bishop but also by a metropolitan bishop. The metropolitan is always an archbishop who governs his own archdiocese...
s in the ecclesiastical province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Armagh and is subject to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh. The incumbent is Dr Noel Treanor
Noel Treanor
Noel Treanor is the 32nd and current Bishop of the Irish diocese of Down and Connor. On 22 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of Noel Treanor as Bishop...
.
Geographic remit
The geographic remit of the diocese includes much of countiesCounties of Ireland
The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A 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...
and Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, stretching from Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....
and Portstewart
Portstewart
Portstewart is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,803 people in the 2001 Census. It is a seaside resort neighbouring Portrush. Of the two towns, Portstewart is decidedly quieter with more sedate attractions. Its harbour and scenic coastal paths form an...
to Kilkeel
Kilkeel
Kilkeel is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the main fishing port on the Down coast, and its harbour houses one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. It had a population of 6,338 people according to the 2001 Census...
. The population of the diocese is about one million, of which approximately 30% are Roman Catholic. The diocese is Ireland's largest in terms of territory and second largest in terms of population.
History
St Fergus (d. 583) is named as first Bishop of Down. The diocese of Connor was founded in 480 by St Macnissi, and St Malachy was bishop there (1124). The dioceses of Down and Connor were permanently joined in 1439.In 1670, as an effect of the Reformation, wars, and penal laws, in the whole of Down and Connor there were only 2500 Catholic families. When at length the pressure of penal legislation was removed Catholicism revived rapidly. In the period 1810-1840 no less than forty new Roman Catholic churches were built. The progress thus made under Dr Crolly
William Crolly
William Crolly was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh from 1835 to 1849....
(1825–1835) and Dr Denvir
Cornelius Denvir
The Most Reverend Cornelius Denvir D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate, mathematician, natural philosopher and former Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:...
(1835–65) was continued under Dr Dorrian
Patrick Dorrian
The Most Reverend Patrick Dorrian D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 23rd Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:Dorrian was born in Downpatrick on 29 March 1814 and was educated in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1833...
(1865–86) and Dr MacAlister
Patrick MacAlister
Patrick MacAlister was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 24th Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:MacAlister was born in Bonecastle, parish of Down, was baptized by Fr Cornelius Denvir on April 12, 1826.He studied in the Diocesan College and then entered the Logic Class in the College of...
(1886–95); but none showed greater energy and zeal than Dr Henry
Henry Henry
The Most Reverend Henry Henry D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and from 1895 until 1908 he held the title Lord Bishop of Down and Connor. He was known for his energy and zeal, as well as his overt activism in local politics, founding the Belfast Catholic Association.-Career:Dr Henry was...
(1895–1908).
Today
There are currently 88 parishes and ministries in the diocese served by 163 priests. The Most Reverend Dr Noel Treanor is the 32nd Bishop of Down and Connor. He was Ordained to the Episcopate and installed as Bishop of Down and Connor on 29 June 2008. The Bishop is assisted by two Auxiliary Bishops, Dr Anthony Farquhar and Dr Donal McKeown.Priests in Down & Connor serve in Parish Ministry, School Chaplaincy, Hospital Chaplaincy, Youth Work, Prison Chaplaincy, The Media, Teaching in universities and teacher training colleges and Teaching and Chaplaincy in secondary and grammar schools.
Priests on the missions are often involved in the same work but their parish could be in Kenya, Peru, Korea, Canada or any other country in our vast world.
Diocesan Statistics
For the year ending 31 December 2007:- Number of Catholics = 329,243.
- Number of Parishes = 88.
- Number of Churches = 151.
- Number of Priests in Diocesan Ministry = 159.
- Number Ordained (2011) = 1.
- Number of Retired Priests = 31.
- Seminarians = 10.
- Deacons = 1
- Number of Brothers = 30.
- Number of Sisters = 243.
- St. Mary's College of Education on Roll = 994.
- Number of Primary & Nursery Schools = 164 (On Roll = 32,306).
- Number of Grammar Schools = 12 (0n Roll = 10,795).
- Number of Secondary School = 31 (On Roll = 15,621).
- Baptisms = 5,078.
- First Communions = 4,533.
- Confirmations = 4,730.
- Marriages = 1,250.
(The Down and Connor Directory 2011)
List of city parishes
Listed are city parishes listed by the Diocese of Down and Connor.- Cathedral (St. Peter's)
- Christ the Redeemer (Lagmore)
- Corpus Christi
- Derryaghy
- Drumbo & Carryduff
- Greencastle
- Hannahstown
- Holy Cross
- Holy Family
- Holy Rosary
- Holy Trinity
- Nativity, (PoleglassPoleglassPoleglass is the name of an electoral ward of Belfast City Council and a mainly nationalist/republican housing estate on the outskirts of West Belfast, Northern Ireland....
) - Our Lady Queen of Peace (Kilwee)
- Parish of Antrim (St Comgall's and St Joseph's)
- Sacred Heart
- St Agnes'
- St Anne's
- St Anthony's
- St Bernadette's
- St Brigid's
- St Colmcille's
- St Gerard's
- St James' ([Whiteabbey]])
- St John's
- St Luke's (TwinbrookTwinbrookTwinbrook may refer to:* Twinbrook, Belfast, an electoral ward of West Belfast* Twinbrook , a Washington Metro station in Montgomery County, Maryland...
) - St Malachy'sSaint Malachy's Church, BelfastSaint Malachy's Church is a Catholic Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is located in Alfred Street, a short distance from Belfast City Hall. The Church is the focal point of the local parish community and Saint Malachy's Parish is one of the 88 parishes in the Diocese of Down and Connor...
- St Mary's
- St Mary's-On-The-Hill
- St Matthews
- St Michael The Archangel
- St Oliver Plunkett
- St Patrick's
- St Paul's
- St Teresa's
- St Vincent De Paul (Ligoniel)
- Whitehouse
List of country parishes
Listed are country parishes listed by the Diocese of Down and Connor.- Aghagallon & Ballinderry
- Ahoghill
- Antrim
- Armoy
- Ballintoy
- Ballycastle
- Ballyclare & Ballygowan
- Ballygalet
- Ballymena
- Ballymoney & Derrykeighan
- Bangor
- Braid
- Carnlough
- Carrickfergus
- Castlewellan
- Coleraine
- Crossgar
- Culfeightrin (BallyvoyBallyvoyBallyvoy is a small village and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is on the main A2 coast road 5 km east of Ballycastle and 17 km north west of Cushendall. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 72 people...
) - Cushendall & Cushendun
- Downpatrick
- Drumaroad & Clanvaraghen
- Dundrum & Tyrella
- Duneane (Moneyglass & Toome)
- Dunloy & Cloughmills
- Dunsford & Ardglass
- Glenariffe
- Glenarm
- Glenavy & Killead
- Glenravel
- Holywood
- Kilcoo
- Killough
- Killtleagh
- Kircubbin
- Larne
- Lisburn
- Loughguile
- Loughinisland
- Lower Mourne
- Newcastle
- Newtownards & Comber
- Portaferry
- Portglenone
- Portrush
- Portstewart
- Randalstown
- Rasharkin
- Saintfield & Carrickmannon
- Saul & Ballee
- Strangford
- Upper Mourne
Ad Limina Visit 2006
Bishop Patrick WalshPatrick Walsh (Bishop)
Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
, Bishop Anthony Farquhar
Anthony Farquhar (Bishop)
The Most Reverend Anthony J. Farquhar D.D., S.T.L., B.A. is the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.-Career:...
and Bishop Donal McKeown
Donal McKeown (Bishop)
Dónal McKeown is the Catholic titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor.-Early years:He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St...
met with Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on the first morning of their visit. They spoke with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
for 20 minutes privately in which they discussed things like Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
, peace and reconciliation in 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...
.
Bishops
OrdinariesThe following is a basic list of the Roman Catholic bishops and vicars apostolic.
- John Fossade (1442–1450)
- Thomas Knight. O.S.B. (1453–1469)
- Tadhg Ó Muirgheasa (1469–1480)
- Tiberio Ugolino (1483–1519)
- Robert Blyth, O.S.B. (1520–1539)
- Eugene Magennis (1539–1559)
- Miler MagrathMiler MagrathMiler Magrath or Miler McGrath , was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He came from a family of hereditary historians to the O'Brien clan. He entered the Franciscan Order and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood...
, O.F.M. (1565–1580) - Donat O'Gallagher, O.F.M. (1580–1581)
- Bl.BeatificationBeatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Conor O'DevanyConor O'DevanyConchobhar O'Duibheannaigh, aka The Blessed Conor O'Devany was an Irish Catholic bishop, being the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor...
, O.F.M. (1582–1612) - (Patrick Hanratty, vicar apostolic, 1614–1625)
- Edmund Dungan (1625–1629)
- Hugh Magennis, O.F.M. (1630–1640)
- (See vacant, 1640–1642)
- Heber MacMahonHeber MacMahonHeber MacMahon was bishop of Clogher and general in Ulster. He was educated at the Irish college, Douay, and at Louvain, and ordained a Roman Catholic priest 1625. He became bishop of Clogher in 1643 and a leader among the confederate Catholics. As a general of the Ulster army he fought Oliver...
(1642–1643) - Arthur Magennis, O.Cist. (1647–1653)
- (Michael O'Beirn, vicar apostolic, 1657–1670)
- Daniel Mackey (1671–1673)
- (See vacant, 1673–1711)
- (Terence O'Donnelly, vicar apostolic, 1711–unknown)
- James O'Shiel, O.F.M. (1717–1724)
- John Armstrong (1727–1739)
- Francis Stuart, O.F.M. (1740–1749)
- Edmund O'Doran (1751–1760)
- Theophilus MacCartan (1760–1778)
- Hugh MacMullan (1779–1794)
- Patrick MacMullan (1794–1824)
- William CrollyWilliam CrollyWilliam Crolly was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh from 1835 to 1849....
(1825–1835) - Cornelius DenvirCornelius DenvirThe Most Reverend Cornelius Denvir D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate, mathematician, natural philosopher and former Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:...
(1835–1865) - Patrick DorrianPatrick DorrianThe Most Reverend Patrick Dorrian D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 23rd Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:Dorrian was born in Downpatrick on 29 March 1814 and was educated in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1833...
(1865–1885) - Patrick MacAlisterPatrick MacAlisterPatrick MacAlister was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 24th Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:MacAlister was born in Bonecastle, parish of Down, was baptized by Fr Cornelius Denvir on April 12, 1826.He studied in the Diocesan College and then entered the Logic Class in the College of...
(1886–1895) - Henry HenryHenry HenryThe Most Reverend Henry Henry D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and from 1895 until 1908 he held the title Lord Bishop of Down and Connor. He was known for his energy and zeal, as well as his overt activism in local politics, founding the Belfast Catholic Association.-Career:Dr Henry was...
(1895–1908) - John TohillJohn TohillThe Most Reverend John Tohill D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 26th Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:He was born in Gortmacrane on 23 December 1855. He studied Classics at Tirgarvil School and in the Vicinage The Most Reverend John Tohill D.D. (1855-1914) was an Irish Roman...
(1908–1914) - Joseph MacRory (1915–1928)
- Daniel Mageean (1929–1962)
- William PhilbinWilliam PhilbinThe Most Reverend William J. Philbin D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate. From 1962 until his retirement, he held the title Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:...
(1962–1982) - Cahal Brendan Daly (1982–1990)
- Patrick Joseph Walsh (1991–2008)
- Noel TreanorNoel TreanorNoel Treanor is the 32nd and current Bishop of the Irish diocese of Down and Connor. On 22 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of Noel Treanor as Bishop...
(2008–present)
Auxiliary Bishops
- Patrick DorrianPatrick DorrianThe Most Reverend Patrick Dorrian D.D. was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and 23rd Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Career:Dorrian was born in Downpatrick on 29 March 1814 and was educated in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1833...
(1860–1865) (Coadjutor) - Patrick WalshPatrick Walsh (Bishop)Patrick Joseph Walsh , is an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and from 1991 until 2008 he was the 31st Bishop of Down & Connor. Dr Walsh was born in 1931 at Cobh, Irish Free State...
(1983–1991) - Anthony FarquharAnthony Farquhar (Bishop)The Most Reverend Anthony J. Farquhar D.D., S.T.L., B.A. is the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.-Career:...
(1983–present)
- Michael DallatMichael DallatMichael Dallat D.D. M.A. S.T.L. was the Titular Bishop of Thala and Auxiliary Bishop of The Diocese of Down and Connor.- Early life and study :...
(1993–2000) - Donal McKeownDonal McKeown (Bishop)Dónal McKeown is the Catholic titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in The Diocese of Down and Connor.-Early years:He was born on 12 April 1950 in Belfast and baptised in St...
(2001–present)
See also
- Diocese of Down and DromoreDiocese of Down and DromoreThe Diocese of Down and Dromore is a diocese of the Church of Ireland in the north east of Ireland. It is in the ecclesiastical province of Armagh...
(Church of Ireland) - Diocese of Connor (Church of Ireland)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...
External links
- Diocese of Down and Connor (Giga-Catholic Information)
- Catholic-Hierarchy.org - Diocese Profile
- Profile from NewAdvent.org - info from Catholic EncyclopediaCatholic EncyclopediaThe Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...