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‘Every human is made in the image of God’ – Presidential Address at Connor Synod

Thursday June 25th 2026

Bishop George Davison delivers his Presidential Address.

In his Presidential Address, delivered at Connor Diocesan Synod 2026 held in Dunuce Parish, Bushmills, on June 25, the Bishop of Connor said recent events in this province had shown ‘humanity at its worst.’

The Rt Rev George Davison told Synod members that recent events are a reminder that hatred and violence have devastating consequences.

“We saw again frustration and fear stalking our streets as violence erupted in various locations in Belfast,” the Bishop said. “We saw humanity at its worst as families had to flee their homes whilst masked individuals threw bricks through their windows and set light to vehicles outside their homes, leaving them fearful for their safety and afraid to lie in their beds at night.

Every human being is made in the image of God, he said: “So any act which seeks to isolate, victimise and treat a human being as less than the precious soul for whom Jesus died is ‘anti-Christ.

“Across this diocese, particularly in the parishes that serve the bigger centres of population, people from around the world are coming to our churches having settled here.”

The Synod is hosted by Dunluce Parish, Bushmills.

Bishop George said some of those who suffered on the streets of Belfast were members of Connor parishes, people he had confirmed, people his colleagues had baptised.

“They are ‘us,’ members of the body of Christ with us who are suffering. The persecuted Church is not something just happening far away in other countries with brutal regimes, sadly sometimes it is also our fellow parishioners – suffering at the hands of some of our neighbours.

“I’m immensely grateful for those who reached out to check on their neighbours when things were at their worst.”

In his address, the Bishop also welcomed those who are new to the diocese, and paid tribute to those who have moved or are moving on. He expressed thanks to his clergy team, and to diocesan staff.

You can read the Bishop’s full address below.

Presidential Address 2026

St John the Baptist, Dunluce

• Ladies and Gentlemen,
• As we gather together for our annual diocesan synod meeting, we do so in one of my favourite parts of the world! The North Coast of Co. Antrim is one of the most scenically beautiful places in Ireland and is hugely popular, appreciated not just by those who live here, but also by many people who visit from other parts of the province, the island and the world. This is evidenced by the steady stream of tour buses, cars, trains and motorcycles which daily carry people here to marvel at its beauty, enjoy its beaches and consume the delights of its restaurants and ice cream parlours!
• And we gather on a day when the North Coast is showing us its very best – in fact I’m worried about the danger that the sunshine will lure you all away to Portballintrae or Portrush for a walk and an ice-cream before our synod is complete – it might have been easier if we had been meeting on one of the very rare days when it rains here!
• Beautiful as it is, this part of the world is not simply a backdrop for our recreation, it is first and foremost a home for the communities who live here, communities with opportunities and challenges, just like the rest of us. In the streets of these towns and villages I have seen both racist graffiti and inspiring hospitality almost side by side!
• Recent events in our province have reminded us that hatred and violence have devastating consequences. We saw again frustration and fear stalking our streets as violence erupted in various locations in Belfast. We saw humanity at its worst as families had to flee their homes whilst masked individuals threw bricks through their windows and set light to vehicles outside their homes, leaving them fearful for their safety and afraid to lie in their beds at night.
• Those who suffered are not ‘them’, but ‘us’. Let me be clear what I mean by that, as followers of Jesus we are those who believe that “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). Every human being is made in the image of God, created to live in fellowship with the Father, and the one for whom Christ endured an angry mob and suffered an inhuman death in order that each one of us might have the opportunity to find forgiveness for our sinful selfishness and live in fellowship with God and our neighbours. So any act which seeks to isolate, victimise and treat a human being as less than the precious soul for whom Jesus died is ‘anti-Christ’.
• Across this diocese, particularly in the parishes that serve the bigger centres of population, people from around the world are coming to our churches having settled here. I recently enjoyed a post-confirmation lunch at St Colman’s Kilroot which had largely been provided by a lady whose daughter had been confirmed that day and who wanted to do it as a ‘thank you to the community that had made them so welcome when they arrived 4 years ago. That little family now lives in Belfast, but still travel out to worship in Carrickfergus because they were made so welcome in St Colman’s and feel that they belong there. Well done St Colman’s folk, and I know that other parishes could tell similar stories
• Some of those who suffered on the streets of Belfast are members of our parishes, people whom I have confirmed, who my colleagues have baptised. They are ‘us’, members of the body of Christ with us who are suffering. The persecuted church is not something just happening far away in other countries with brutal regimes, sadly sometimes it is also our fellow parishioners – suffering at the hands of some of our neighbours.
• I’m immensely grateful for those who reached out to check on their neighbours when things were at their worst. Some of you called fellow parishioners, offered reassurance, help and even a safe place to stay for a night or two. You practiced being Good Samaritans and in doing so, followed the example of Jesus in showing compassion to those who were suffering. Thank you for your witness for Christ.
• But we must not be complacent – because I have also heard of people who in their time of trouble, did not know where to turn, did not know who they could turn to, didn’t feel that they could reach out to their church family for help – there are still lessons for us to learn and room for us to improve. I pray that every person who comes across the door of one of our churches, whoever they may be will find welcome and a church family that sees them as a treasured member of the ‘body of Christ’.
• Often times we experience challenging times we look round about us and ask questions. “What are the police doing about this?” “What have the government done?” The council, the Housing Executive, Social Services….? And of course each of these bodies will have responsibilities and a part to play, but we must not make the mistake of always looking to someone else to sort things out… What are we doing to make our communities better; places that are changed by the love of Christ?
• I was recently at a conference in London where one of the speakers spoke about a young Christian friend who was deliberating about how they could best serve God. He related how they were very anxious about whether they were in the right place, whether that had the right gifts, whether their faith was strong enough, whether they had read the right books and equipped themselves properly….. and the speaker said that he wanted to just to go to his young friend and say “Stop worrying about all these things, stop looking around wondering if you’re in the right place and just do something where you God has put you now!
• Too often it seems to me that society today wants to look round about and ask ‘Who’s responsible?’, instead of saying ‘How can I help, what can I do?’ We are that society, and we can help to shape it by the things that we do and say. Jesus offers us a better way and he calls his people to be salt and light in His world.
• I’m so thankful for people across the diocese of Connor who are rolling up their sleeves and are ‘doing something’ where God has put them. People who hear Christ’s call to service and put that into practice in their church families and communities – cleaning, washing dishes, making tea, offering a lift or a supportive, listening ear, doing a Bible reading or saying a prayer… little activities and acts of service that come together to make a real difference and enable us to be a church that cares.
• We are always in need of more people ‘doing something’ as we respond to God’s call on our lives. Earlier in the synod I welcomed our newest deacons, Andy Brooking & Matthew Campbell, but I’m also glad to report that others have also joined our diocesan team or taken up new responsibilities in the last year. We have welcomed the Revd Marcus Hart to the parish of Broughshane, Gareth Campbell has moved to take on leadership of the Blackstaff Union in South Belfast and Rosie Diffin has been instituted as Rector of Kilconriola, though she prefers to call it Ballymena! I’m also delighted that the Board of Nomination for the parishes of Ramoan & Culfeightrin nominated the Revd Emma GIbson as the next rector of their parishes and we look forward to welcoming Emma (née Carson) back to the diocese in September. We wish all our new colleagues God’s blessings as they establish themselves in their parishes and share with their people in ministry.
• When I mention those names in welcome, it reminds me that I need to talk about farewells as well as welcomes! Since our last synod, we said thank you to Canon Mark McConnell & to Canon David Ferguson as they retired from parochial ministry In Ballymena & Ballycastle. Each of them had given significantly of themselves to ministry in the diocese and I’m glad that they continue to play a part in the life of the diocese in retirement. David has moved to Ballymena and has graciously agreed to my request that he continues to exercise his gifts as Rural Dean of Ballymena
• In the year that lies ahead, a significant number of colleagues will join them on the journey of superannuation! Some have already announced this to their parishes, but others have not, so I will leave those announcements to dates and times of their choosing rather than risking ‘stealing their thunder’ now, but I will take this opportunity to acknowledge that beginning with the Revd Eddie Coulter from Lambeg in a few days time, we will be losing a significant resource of experienced clergy from the diocese. I would want to say to each of them, (you know who you are!) a very sincere thank you for all that you have given to your parishes and to the diocese. We wish you health and happiness in retirement, and of course – once you are settled into your new pattern of life, if you feel that you’re missing it all too much, Dean John Bond will be delighted to help keep you occupied as he models active retirement ministry as Diocesan Curate.
• Whilst on the theme of the clergy team, I also want to express my gratitude for all who continue to serve and particularly express our congratulations to all who are celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordinations this year.
• Two of our number have moved on to new responsibilities having served in Connor. The Revd Adrian Halligan has been instituted Rector of the ‘other’ Ballinderry group of parishes in Armagh diocese and the Revd Lee Boal has become priest in charge of Orangefield in the diocese of Down & Dromore. We pray God’s blessing and equipping of them in their new parishes as we thank them for the ministry that they shared in Craigs, Dunaghy & Killagan and in Lisburn Cathedral.
• The Revd Stu Reid is much loved part-time curate in the Parishes of Ballymoney, Finvoy & Rasharkin. He’s also a member of the Connor Pioneer Ministry Hub, supporting the work of Pioneer Ministry in the diocese. Aside from those responsibilities, Stu uses his gifts as a musician in the world of music production, a rich & creative ministry where he not only earns a living, but seeks to live faithfully as a follower of Jesus. The fact that he is ordained often opens up conversations with friends and fellow artists who might not belong to a church or even profess faith. For Stu it is a real calling and he is passionate about the opportunities that God gives him for service as he uses his gifts. I want to recognise the importance of that ministry and so am appointing him as Honorary Chaplain to the Arts in the diocese. Stu, we pray that God will continue to use and bless you in this significant calling that God has placed on your heart.
• I want to thank the Revd Dennis Christie for his work over the last couple of years as Chair of our Diocesan Youth Council. I know that everyone associated with our Youth work has admired the warm and encouraging way that Dennis has undertaken the role, and are all just a little bit devastated that he feels its time to step back. Dennis, thank you for all that you have done as Chair of the Youth Council and I know that you will be a great encouragement and support to the Revd Nathan Ervine as he takes on this role.
• It’s really lovely to have our Children & Families Officer, Victoria Jackson here today. Just this week Victoria has resumed her duties, following the birth of her second daughter Anna and a period of maternity leave. We’re thrilled to see her back among us and I know that the parishes will be delighted to benefit from her support & expertise, though please do remember that she – don’t everybody ring her this week!
• Last August, our Diocesan Development Officer, Mr Trevor Douglas retired from his work for the diocese. Over the years since he joined us, Trevor helped numerous parishes in thinking through plans for the future, in applying for grant funding and negotiating a few difficult situations. In addition, he provided very significant support to Bishop Alan Abernethy during his ministry as bishop of the diocese and in more recent years to Belfast Cathedral after being seconded there in the years following Bishop Alan’s illness.Trevor was a great support to many of us and the diocese would have been much the poorer (literally as well as metaphorically!) without him. We continue to pray for him & Karen as they enjoy their retirement in Lurgan.
• All of these changes in personnel bring me back to the fact that the church always needs to renew its ministry team and to nurture new vocations to serve. Each of us has a vocation to serve and I’m grateful to parochial clergy and to the members of our Vocations team for the work that they do in encouraging people to consider their possibility that God might be calling them to new things in ministry.
• Whilst the Revd Peter Jones has decided to step back from the role of Director of Vocations in the diocese, as he steps into a different leadership role as one of our Clerical Hon Secretaries, I’m very grateful to him for the work he has done in establishing the new shape of the Vocations team and it seems fitting that one of his last responsibilities as Director of Vocations was the recent Vocations Day Conference in Bethlehem Abbey in Portglenone. It was a very encouraging day – Thank you to Peter & the other members of the vocations team, James, Amanda & Danielle for all their work.
• Shortly we will begin the consideration of the Agenda and the rest of our work today, but before we do I want to express sincere thanks to all the members of our Diocesan Staff for the work that they have done in preparing for today, and that they do throughout the year. I’m blessed in having a great team of people to work with and I’m thankful for their diligence in keeping us all right in the realms of compliance and administration, in keeping us informed and in resourcing our youth and children’s work. They work hard to resource and support parishes and we are grateful for all of them. Please do bear with them over the next number of months as we prepare to move out of our temporary offices in Old Channel Road and back to the Cathedral Quarter into longer-term office accommodation. Following consultation with the diocese of Down & Dromore and the RCB, and with Down & Dromore deciding to move to independent offices in the east of the city, the Diocesan Council has agreed to move our Diocesan Office into premises shared with the RCB close to Belfast Cathedral. Further details of the move will be notified to parishes in due course over the summer period.
• As I conclude, I want to thank the members of this synod for all that you do, in your service of the diocese here today, but most importantly in the parishes of our diocese week by week. Many of those parishes are seeing great signs of God’s activity amongst us, but we all face challenges and opportunities to do things better. As we share in the work of this synod, some of which will be challenging, Some of which will encourage and stimulate us, can I encourage you to engage in our discussions in a spirit of prayerfulness as together we seek to serve the purposes of the kingdom of God in this diocese.
• May God bless us in our work together.

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