Institution of new rector in Ballymena

Thursday April 16th 2026

Pictured at the Service of Institution of the Rev Rosie Diffin as rector of the Parish of Ballymena (Kilconriola and Ballyclug) on April 15 are, back row from left: The Rev Canon David Ferguson, Rural Dean; the Rev Canon William Taggart, Registrar; the Rev Peter Jones, preacher; the Ven Paul Dundas, Archdeacon of Dalriada. Front: The Rev Rosie Diffin and the Rt Rev George Davison, Bishop of Connor.

The Rev Rosie Diffin was warmly welcomed as rector of the Parish of Ballymena (Kilconriola and Ballyclug) at a Service of Institution held in St Patrick’s, Ballymena, on the evening of April 15.

Rosie comes to Ballymena from the Parishes of Kilcronaghan, Ballynascreen and Six Towns in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe where she has been rector since 2020.

Born in Belfast, Rosie spent most of her life in Richhill where her home parish is St Matthew’s. A past pupil of Ashfield Girls’ School and Dundonald Girls’ High School, she worked in social security for the Civil Service for five years before changing careers to support children in the care system in the Armagh area.

The Rev Rosie Diffin at her Service of Institution in St Patrick’s, Ballymena, with the Rt Rev George Davison, Bishop of Connor.

Rosie is married to Ronnie. They have four grown-up children, William, Ronnie, Wilson and Laura. Some years ago, the couple were sadly bereaved by the loss of a baby girl and later an adopted son.

Rosie studied at CITI and was ordained in 2012, serving as deacon in Drumglass Parish, Dungannon, Diocese of Armagh. After ordination as a priest the following year, she moved to Seapatrick Parish, Banbridge, in Down and Dromore Diocese until 2015 when she was appointed curate-in-charge in the Parishes of Kilmore and St Saviour’s, Dobbin, Diocese of Armagh.

Rosie moved to Kilmore and St Saviour’s, Dobbin, in 2016, as rector, remaining there until 2020 when she was called to be rector of Kilcronaghan, Ballynascreen and Six Towns.

Rosie was instituted as rector of the Parish of Kilconriola and Ballyclug by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison. The preacher was the Rev Peter Jones, rector of Mossley Parish and Connor Director of Vocations.