Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh Alan Harper has announced his intention to retire, which will take effect from October.
Archbishop Harper, who is 68, has been a bishop for 10 years. He became Bishop of Connor in 2002 where he served until elected as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in January 2007.
He acted as chairman of the Historic Monuments Council for Northern Ireland from 1988 to 1995, and was awarded an OBE for services to conservation in Northern Ireland in 1996.
Archbishop Harper will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland as normal until 30th September.
A successor will be selected “in due course” by the House of Bishops, a spokesperson for the Church of Ireland said.
Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson paid tribute to Archbishop Harper today. “Across the Church of Ireland, Archbishop Harper has sought to enable a wide range of voices to be heard on a broad spectrum of topics,” he said.
“He has also worked tirelessly in the development of a fresh understanding of community in Northern Ireland in the years of peace. Together with all my fellow-bishops, and the Church of Ireland at large, I wish Archbishop Harper and Mrs Harper everything that is best in retirement.”