Bishop of Down and Connor
Encyclopedia
The Bishop of Down and Connor is an episcopal title which takes its name from the town of Downpatrick (located in County Down
) and the village of Connor (located in County Antrim
) in Northern Ireland
. The title is still used by the Roman Catholic Church
, but in the Church of Ireland
it has been united with other bishoprics.
s of Down
and Connor
were established at the Synod of Rathbreasail
in 1111. For a brief period in the early 12th-century, they were united under Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair (Saint Malachy
), who also became Archbishop of Armagh
.
On 29 July 1438, plans for a permanent union of the sees of Down
and Connor
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, Bishop John Sely 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, two whilst Fossade was alive and one after his death. It was not until the appointment of Thomas Knight that the two sees were finally united under one bishop.
Following the upheaval of the 16th century Reformation in Ireland
, there were parallel apostolic succession
s. In the Church of Ireland
, Down and Connor merged with Dromore
in 1842 to form the bishopric of Down, Connor and Dromore
. They continued until 1945 when they were separated into the bishoprics of Down & Dromore
and Connor
.
In the Roman Catholic Church
, the see of Down and Connor continues to the present day. The incumbent is the Most Reverend Noel Treanor
, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor, who was appointed by the Holy See
on 22 February 2008 and ordained bishop
on 29 June 2008.
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
) and the village of Connor (located 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...
) 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...
. The title is still used by 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...
, but 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...
it has been united with other bishoprics.
History
The seeEpiscopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
s 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....
and Connor
Bishop of Connor
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....
were established at the Synod of Rathbreasail
Synod 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. For a brief period in the early 12th-century, they were united 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 became 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 1438, plans for a permanent union of the sees 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....
and Connor
Bishop of Connor
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....
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, Bishop John Sely 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
Bishop of Connor
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....
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, two whilst Fossade was alive and one after his death. It was not until the appointment of Thomas Knight that the two sees were finally united under one bishop.
Following the upheaval of the 16th century Reformation in Ireland
Reformation in Ireland
The Reformation in Ireland was a movement for the reform of religious life and institutions that was introduced into Ireland by the English administration at the behest of King Henry VIII of England. His desire for an annulment of his marriage was known as the King's Great Matter...
, there were parallel apostolic succession
Apostolic Succession
Apostolic succession is a doctrine, held by some Christian denominations, which asserts that the chosen successors of the Twelve Apostles, from the first century to the present day, have inherited the spiritual, ecclesiastical and sacramental authority, power, and responsibility that were...
s. 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 merged 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 bishoprics of Down & 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 Connor
Bishop of Connor
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 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...
, the see of Down and Connor continues to the present day. The incumbent is the Most Reverend 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...
, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor, who was appointed by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
on 22 February 2008 and ordained bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on 29 June 2008.
Pre-Reformation bishops
| Pre-Reformation Bishops of Down and Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1442 | 1450 | John Fossade | Appointed Bishop of Connor Bishop of Connor 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 1431; became Bishop of Down and Connor in 1442, however, due local opposition, he did not get full control; died in the spring of 1450; also known as John Festade |
| 1453 | 1469 | Thomas Knight. O.S.B. | Appointed 24 August 1453 and consecrated 31 May 1456; acted as a suffragan bishop in the diocese of London Diocese of London The Anglican Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.Historically the diocese covered a large area north of the Thames and bordered the dioceses of Norwich and Lincoln to the north and west. The present diocese covers and 17 London boroughs, covering most of Greater... 1459-63; died before July 1469 |
| 1469 | 1480 | Tadhg Ó Muirgheasa | Appointed 10 July and consecrated 10 September 1469; died after July 1480; also known as Thaddaeus |
| 1483 | 1519 | Tiberio Ugolino | Appointed times, 14 February 1483, 12 September 1484 and 1 September 1485; consecrated 12 March 1489; died before April 1519 |
Church of Ireland succession
| Church of Ireland Bishops of Down and Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1520 | c.1541 | Robert Blyth. O.S.B. | Appointed 16 April 1520; accepted royal supremacy in 1539; acted as a suffragan bishop in the diocese of Ely 1539-1541; resigned circa 1541; died after 19 October 1547 |
| 1542 | 1559/63 | Eugene Magennis | Papal appointee from 1539, he accepted royal supremacy and was confirmed by letters patent Letters patent Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation... 8 May 1542; remained possession during the reign of Queen Mary I Mary I of England Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547... ; died sometime around 1559 and 1563 |
| 1565 | 1567 | James MacCawell | Nominated 6 June 1565, but is not known for certain if he was consecrated or obtained possession; promoted to the archbishopric of Cashel Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. The title is still in use in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Church of Ireland it was downgraded to a bishopric in 1838.... in 1567 |
| 1569 | 1571 | John Merriman | 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... 20 December 1568 and consecrated 19 January 1569; died before 6 July 1571 |
| 1572 | 1582 | Hugh Allen | Appointed by letters patent Letters patent Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation... 21 November 1572; translated to Ferns and Leighlin Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin The Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Ferns and Leighlin in the Province of Dublin. The diocese comprised all of counties Wexford and Carlow and part of counties Wicklow and Laois in Ireland.... 24 May 1582 |
| 1582 | 1593 | See vacant | |
| 1593 | 1595 | Edward Edgeworth | Nominated 31 July 1593; consecrated 1593; died 1595 |
| 1596 | 1601 | John Charden | Appointed by letters patent and consecrated 4 May 1596; died 1601 |
| 1602 | 1607 | Roben Humpston | Nominated 17 July 1601 and consecrated 5 April 1602; died before 14 January 1607 |
| 1607 | 1612 | John Todd | Formerly Dean of Cashel; nominated to Down and Connor and to 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... 24 January and appointed to all by letters patent 16 May 1607; resigned 20 January 1612 |
| 1612 | James Dundas | Nominated 23 February and consecrated July 1612; died before 29 November 1612 | |
| 1613 | 1635 | Robert Echlin Robert Echlin (bishop) Robert Echlin was a Scottishman who became the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Connor from 1612 to 1635. He obtained his Presbytery Degree from St Andrews in Scotland and was made Minister for Inverkeithing.-Life:... |
Nominated 29 November 1612 and appointed by letters patent 4 March 1613; died 17 July 1635 |
| 1635 | 1661 | Henry Leslie Henry Leslie (bishop) Henry Leslie was a Scottishman who became the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Connor from 1635 to 1661 and briefly Bishop of Meath from January to April 1661.-Life:... |
Nominated 8 August and consecrated 4 October 1635; translated to Meath Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:... 19 January 1661 |
| 1661 | 1667 | Jeremy Taylor Jeremy Taylor Jeremy Taylor was a clergyman in the Church of England who achieved fame as an author during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. He is sometimes known as the "Shakespeare of Divines" for his poetic style of expression and was often presented as a model of prose writing... |
Nominated 6 August 1660 and consecrated 27 January 1661; also appointed administrator of the see of 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... 23 June 1661; died 13 August 1667 |
| 1667 | 1672 | Roger Boyle Roger Boyle (bishop) Roger Boyle was an Irish Protestant churchman, Bishop of Down and Connor and Bishop of Clogher.-Life:He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was elected a fellow. On the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 he became tutor to Lord Paulet, in whose family he remained until the... |
Nominated 26 August and consecrated 18 October 1667; translated to Clogher Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one... 19 September 1672; he was the younger brother of Richard Boyle, Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin The Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Ferns and Leighlin in the Province of Dublin. The diocese comprised all of counties Wexford and Carlow and part of counties Wicklow and Laois in Ireland.... |
| 1672 | 1694 | Thomas Hacket | Nominated 29 August and consecrated 28 September 1672; deprived on 21 March 1694 for continued non-residence, neglect and other offences again ecclesiastical law; died in August 1697 |
| 1694 | 1695 | Samuel Foley | Nominated 17 August and consecrated 2 September 1694; died 22 May 1695 |
| 1695 | 1699 | Edward Walkington | Nominated 10 July and consecrated 4 August 1695; died in January 1699 |
| 1699 | 1720 | Edward Smyth | Nominated 21 January and consecrated 2 April 1699; died 16 October 1720 |
| 1721 | 1739 | Francis Hutchinson Francis Hutchinson Francis Hutchinson was Bishop of Down and Connor and an opponent of witch-hunting.Hutchinson was born in Carsington, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, the second son of Mary and Edward Hutchinson or Hitchinson... |
Nominated 30 November 1720 and consecrated 22 January 1721; died 23 June 1739 |
| 1739 | 1743 | Carew Reynell | Nominated 4 September and consecrated 18 November 1739; 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:... 6 May 1743 |
| 1743 | 1752 | John Ryder | Translated from Killaloe; nominated 25 April 1743 and appointed by letters patent 1 August 1743; translated to Tuam Archbishop of Tuam The Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:... 19 March 1752 |
| 1752 | John Whitcombe | Translated from Clonfert and Kilmacduagh Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh The Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh, comprising the southern part of County Galway and a small area of County Roscommon, Ireland.-History:... ; nominated 24 February 1752 and appointed by letters patent 21 March 1752; translated to Cashel Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. The title is still in use in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Church of Ireland it was downgraded to a bishopric in 1838.... 1 September 1752 |
|
| 1752 | 1753 | Robert Downes | Translated from Ferns and Leighlin Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin The Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Ferns and Leighlin in the Province of Dublin. The diocese comprised all of counties Wexford and Carlow and part of counties Wicklow and Laois in Ireland.... ; nominated 12 August 1752 and appointed by letters patent 13 October 1752; translated to Raphoe Bishop of Raphoe The Bishop of Raphoe is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Raphoe in County Donegal, 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:... 16 January 1753 |
| 1753 | 1765 | Arthur Smyth | Translated from Clonfert; nominated 28 December 1752 and appointed by letters patent 24 January 1753; translated to Meath Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:... 28 October 1765 |
| 1765 | 1783 | James Traill | Nominated 27 September and consecrated 3 November 1765; died 12 November 1783 |
| 1784 | 1804 | William Dickson | Nominated 19 November 1783 and consecrated 1 February 1784; died 19 September 1804 |
| 1804 | 1823 | Nathaniel Alexander Nathaniel Alexander (bishop) Nathaniel Alexander , was an Anglican Bishop in Ireland during the first half of the 19th century.He was born in 1760 and educated at Harrow and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was appointed Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh in 1802 and translated to Killaloe in 1804. Only six months later he... |
Translated from Killaloe and Kilfenora Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora The Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Killaloe and Kilfenora in the Province of Cashel; comprising all of County Clare and the northern part of County Tipperary, Ireland.... ; nominated 2 November 1804 and appointed by letters patent 21 November 1804; translated to Meath Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric.-History:... 21 March 1823 |
| 1823 | 1848 | Richard Mant Richard Mant -Life:He was born at Southampton and educated at Winchester College and at Trinity College, Oxford.He was elected fellow of Oriel in 1798, and afterwards took orders, holding a curacy at Southampton in 1802... |
Translated from Killaloe and Kilfenora Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora The Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora was the Ordinary of the Church of Ireland diocese of Killaloe and Kilfenora in the Province of Cashel; comprising all of County Clare and the northern part of County Tipperary, Ireland.... ; nominated 13 March 1823 and appointed by letters patent 23 March 1823; became 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:... from 9 April 1842; died 2 November 1848 |
| In 1842, Down and Connor united 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... to form the united 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:... |
|||
Roman Catholic succession
| Roman Catholic Bishops of Down and Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1520 | 1539 | Robert Blyth, O.S.B. | Appointed 16 April 1520; deprived by Pope Paul III Pope Paul III Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation... in 1539 when he accepted royal supremacy; died 1547 |
| 1539 | 1559 | Eugene Magennis | Appointed 16 June 1539; accepted royal supremacy in 1541, but remained possession during the reign of Queen Mary I Mary I of England Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547... ; died sometime around 1559 and 1563 |
| 1565 | 1580 | Miler Magrath Miler Magrath Miler 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. |
Appointed 12 October 1565; accepted royal supremacy in 1567 and became 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... Bishop of Clogher Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one... in 1570 and Archbishop of Cashel Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. The title is still in use in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Church of Ireland it was downgraded to a bishopric in 1838.... in 1571; it was not until 14 March 1580 that he was finally deprived of the Roman Catholic see of Down and Connor by Pope Gregory XIII Pope Gregory XIII Pope Gregory XIII , born Ugo Boncompagni, was Pope from 1572 to 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar, which remains the internationally-accepted civil calendar to this date.-Youth:He was born the son of Cristoforo Boncompagni and wife Angela... |
| 1580 | 1581 | Donat O'Gallagher, O.F.M. | Translated from Killala Bishop of Killala The Bishop of Killala is an episcopal title which takes its name after the town of Killala in County Mayo, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:... ; appointed 23 March 1580; died circa 1581 |
| 1582 | 1612 | Bl. Beatification Beatification 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'Devany Conor O'Devany Conchobhar O'Duibheannaigh, aka The Blessed Conor O'Devany was an Irish Catholic bishop, being the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor... , O.F.M. |
Appointed 27 April 1582 and consecrated 2 February 1583; executed 1 February 1612; beatified Beatification Beatification 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... by Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ... on 27 September 1992 |
| 1614 | 1625 | Patrick Hanratty | Appointed vicar apostolic by papal brief Papal brief The Papal Brief is a formal document emanating from the Pope, in a somewhat simpler and more modern form than a Papal Bull.-History:The introduction of briefs, which occurred at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Eugenius IV , was clearly prompted for the same desire for greater simplicity... 7 March 1614; translated to 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 1625 |
| 1625 | 1629 | Edmund Dungan | Appointed 9 June 1625 and consecrated in July 1626; died 1629 |
| 1630 | 1640 | Hugh Magennis, O.F.M. | Appointed 22 April and again 28 June 1630; died 24 April 1640; also known as Bonaventura |
| 1640 | 1642 | See vacant | |
| 1642 | 1643 | Heber MacMahon Heber MacMahon Heber 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... |
Appointed 10 March 1642; translated to Clogher Bishop of Clogher The Bishop of Clogher is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Clogher in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the Reformation, there are now parallel apostolic successions: one of the Church of Ireland and the other of the Roman Catholic Church.-History:Clogher is one... 27 June 1643 |
| 1647 | 1653 | Arthur Magennis, O.Cist. | Appointed 11 March 1647 and consecrated 1 May 1648; died 24 March 1653 |
| 1657 | 1670 | Michael O'Beirn | Appointed vicar apostolic by papal brief 17 April 1657; died circa 1670 |
| 1671 | 1673 | Daniel Mackey | Appointed 4 May 1671; died 24 December 1673 |
| 1673 | 1711 | See vacant | During this period, the two dioceses of Down and Connor seem to have been governed by separate vicars general |
| 1711 | unknown | Terence O'Donnelly | Appointed vicar apostolic of Down by papal brief 22 August 1711, and vicar apostolic of both from February 1714 |
| 1717 | 1724 | James O'Shiel, O.F.M. | Appointed 2 October and consecrated in November 1717; died 13 August 1724 |
| 1727 | 1739 | John Armstrong | Appointed 7 April 1727; died in December 1739 |
| 1740 | 1749 | Francis Stuart, O.F.M. | Appointed 19 September and consecrated 24 November 1740; died in May 1749 |
| 1751 | 1760 | Edmund O'Doran | Appointed 30 January 1751; died 18 June 1760 |
| 1760 | 1778 | Theophilus MacCartan | Appointed 10 September 1760; died 16 December 1778 |
| 1779 | 1794 | Hugh MacMullan | Appointed 11 August 1779; died 8 October 1794 |
| 1794 | 1824 | Patrick MacMullan | Appointed coadjutor bishop 29 July and consecrated 21 September 1793; succeeded 8 October 1794; died 25 October 1824 |
| 1825 | 1835 | William Crolly William Crolly William Crolly was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh from 1835 to 1849.... |
Appointed 6 February and consecrated 1 May 1825; translated to 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 April or May 1835 |
| 1835 | 1865 | Cornelius 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:... |
Appointed 6 September 1835; resigned May 1865; died 10 July 1866 |
| 1865 | 1885 | Patrick 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... |
Appointed coadjutor bishop 13 June and consecrated 19 August 1860; succeeded in May 1865; died 3 November 1885 |
| 1886 | 1895 | Patrick 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... |
Appointed in 1886 and consecrated 28 March 1886; died 26 March 1895 |
| 1895 | 1908 | Henry 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... |
Appointed 16 August and consecrated 22 September 1895; died 8 March 1908 |
| 1908 | 1914 | John Tohill John Tohill The 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... |
Appointed 5 August and consecrated 20 September 1908; died 4 July 1914 |
| 1915 | 1928 | Joseph MacRory | Appointed 18 August and consecrated 14 November 1915; translated to 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... 22 June 1928 |
| 1929 | 1962 | Daniel Mageean | Appointed 31 May and consecrated 25 August 1929; died 18 January 1962 |
| 1962 | 1982 | William Philbin William Philbin The 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:... |
Translated from Clonfert; appointed 5 June 1962; retired 24 August 1982; died 23 August 1991 |
| 1982 | 1990 | Cahal Brendan Daly | Translated from Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, one of the suffragan dioceses of the Archdiocese of Armagh... ; appointed 24 August 1982; translated to 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... 6 November 1990 |
| 1991 | 2008 | Patrick Joseph Walsh Patrick 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... |
Appointed titular bishop of Ros Cré and auxiliary bishop Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office... of Down and Connor on 6 April 1983; ordained bishop 15 May 1983; appointed diocesan bishop of Down and Connor on 18 March 1991; retired 22 February 2008 |
| 2008 | present | 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... |
Appointed 22 February and ordained bishop 29 June 2008 |