The new Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor is Canon Alan Abernethy (50), rector of Ballyholme, Bangor, Co Down. He was appointed yesterday at a meeting of the church's House of Bishops in Dublin. He succeeds the new Church of Ireland primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev Alan Harper.
Announcing the news yesterday, Archbishop Harper said: "I warmly welcome the appointment of Canon Alan Abernethy to become chief pastor in the diocese of Connor. That diocese is very much in my heart, since I spent a considerable part of my ministry there. Canon Abernethy brings considerable gifts, which will greatly benefit the diocese when he begins his episcopal ministry.
"He has served as central director of ordinands and has been very closely identified with the work which the Church of Ireland is doing to reshape training for ministry. I wish Canon Abernethy and his wife, Liz, every blessing in this new development in his ministry."
Canon Abernethy is from Belfast. He was ordained in 1981 and appointed to his present post as rector of Ballyholme parish in 1990. He and Liz have a son, Peter, and daughter, Ruth.
Canon Abernethy completed a BA degree in history and political science at Queen's University in 1978, and went on to study theology at Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University.