Liturgical farewell to former Bishop

Friday February 9th 2007

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Alan Harper, preaching at a special Liturgial Farewell in St John's Malone, to mark his departure from the Diocese of Connor where he was Bishop for almost five years. Former Bishop of Connor, the Most Rev Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, returned to the parish of St John’s, Malone, on Thursday February 8 for a special Liturgical Farewell.

It was an emotional occasion for the Primate as clergy and parishioners from across the diocese of Connor gathered in the church where he had spent the largest part of his ministry to date.

The service was organised by the Dean of Connor, the Very Rev John Bond, along with the Archdeacon of Connor, the Ven Stephen McBride; the Archdeacon of Dalriada, the Ven Stephen Forde, and the Archdeacon of Belfast, Canon Barry Dodds.

The Archbishop preached the address and at the end of the service, before guests retired for tea, a gift was presented to Archbishop Harper as a token of appreciation and a mark of the esteem he is held in by his colleagues in Connor. Mrs Helen Harper also received a gift.

Photographs by Arthur McCartney.

An emotional Archbishop Harper receives a gift from Dean John Bond, Dean Connor. The Archbishop's wife Helen looks on.l
Watched by her husband, Mrs Helen Harper receives a gift from clergy wives at the Liturgical Farewell.