The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

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Bishop appoints two new Canons to the Chapter of Lisburn Cathedral

Friday January 10th 2025

The Rev David Ferguson, left, and the Rev Andrew Sweeney have been appointed Canons of the Chapter of Lisburn Cathedral.

The Bishop of Connor today announced the appointment of two new Canons to the Chapter of Lisburn Cathedral.

They are the Rev David Ferguson, rector of Ramoan and Culfeightrin, and the Rev Andrew Sweeney, rector of the United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin.

Bishop George said: “In addition to running busy, growing parishes in Ballycastle and Ballymoney, both have given additional service to the diocese.

“David has been a diligent Rural Dean for the Ballymena Deanery for a number of years and Andrew serves as chaplain to the Causeway Hospital.”

David has been rector of the parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin, Ballycastle, since May 2011. Prior to this he was curate assistant of the Parish of Antrim from 2004. He has been Ballymena Rural Dean since 2013 and is chaplain to the Ballycastle branch of the Royal British Legion.

He is married to Margaret and the couple have four grown-up children and 11 grandchildren. Before his ordination in 2004, David was in public service for 29 years.

David said his appointment as a Canon in the Chapter of St Saviour, Lisburn, was ‘a huge honour.’ “I am overwhelmed to have been asked by the Bishop to take on this role,” he said.

The Rev Andrew Sweeney has been rector of the United Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy and Rasharkin in Ballymoney since February 2012. Prior to this, he was Vicar of Cogges, South Leigh and North Leigh in the Diocese of Oxford.

A native of Bangor, Co Down, he moved to work in England in 1989. He was ordained in 1996 after completing his training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and served his first curacy in Bladon cum Woodstock. In 1999 he was appointed curate of St Patrick’s, Coleraine, and he moved to Cogges, Oxford in 2002.

Andrew is married to Cathy and they have two sons. He has been chaplain to the Causeway Hospital for more than two years and is chaplain at Ballymoney Rugby Club.

He said he was ‘surprised and delighted’ when Bishop George asked him to be a Canon of Lisburn Cathedral. “I want to do what I can to support the Diocese of Connor in its outreach and mission,” he said.

A date for the Service of Installation in Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn, will be announced in due course.

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