Connor Clergy Conference 2025

Tuesday November 4th 2025

Clergy from Connor and Armagh Dioceses listen to Prof David Ford at the 2025 Clergy Conference.

The 2025 Connor Diocesan Clergy Conference was held in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Co Cavan – this year in the company of clergy and staff from Armagh Diocese.

The Connor Conference is held every three years. The key speaker this year was Prof David Ford, who was the Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge until his retirement in 2015. Delegates also heard from the Rev John Dunlop, a retired minister in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.

Clergy from both dioceses attended sessions led by the speakers, and there were also some separate gatherings of each diocese.

The Conference began on Tuesday afternoon, November 4, when delegates were welcomed by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev John McDowell, who also introduced Prof Ford for his first of four sessions on the Gospel of John.

Following a break for coffee, Bishop George led a informal session for Connor clergy, before the dioceses came together again for evening prayer.

The second day began with a joint service of Holy Communion, followed by a second session on John’s Gospel with Prof Ford. After morning coffee, the conference welcomed Rev Dunlop who spoke engagingly on the theme ‘Bonding and Bridging.’

There was free time for all conference attendees on Wednesday afternoon, with some enjoying the hotel leisure and spa facilities, walking in the grounds, taking time to relax or, as you will see from our photos – enjoying a round of golf!

Following dinner, delegates from both dioceses came together again for the third of Prof Ford’s sessions, and the day closed with Compline.

Prof Ford delivered his fourth and final talk after Morning Worship on Thursday, and following coffee, the dioceses split for a final diocesan session each.

The Connor clergy heard from a number of speakers as they were encouraged to be outward looking in their ministry.

Paula Ferguson, Senior Relationship Manager with Alpha NI, spoke about the resources offered by Alpha and the success the programme has in reaching those who would not be church goers.

Ian Hannah and Rebecca Parnell were in attendance and in what Bishop George described as a ‘very powerful presentation,’ Ian spoke about the work of the organisation Safe Families, while Rebecca shared her own experiences.

Chair of Connor’s Council for Mission, Archdeacon Paul Dundas, spoke about future diocesan missional outreach and a proposed Lent Project for 2026, working with SAMS and the Diocese of North Argentina (we will report further on this at a later stage).

The Rev Cameron Mack, recently appointed as Diocesan Liturgical Officer, introduced the Liturgical Advisory Committee’s Resource Journey Through the Church Year, copies of which were distributed to all present, as well as a resource on Singing the Canticles.

Conference ended with some closing words from Bishop George who also led closing devotions, followed by lunch before the clergy returned to their parishes, equipped with much food for thought on how to continue the diocesan theme of ‘growing healthy churches.’