A large congregation comprising parishioners, clergy and readers from as far away as Inver, Dunfanaghy and Ardstraw filled All Saints’ Church in Newtowncunningham on Friday evening to welcome the Taughboyne Group’s new priest, Rev Sean McClafferty. Rev McClafferty becomes the first Ordained Local Minister in the East Donegal parishes and picks up the mantle worn…
The Cathedral Chapter of St Eunan has been restored to its full complement of Canons following a service in Raphoe on Tuesday evening, 24th June 2025, during which Rev Canon David Skuce was installed as Prebendary of Clondehorkey, succeeding Rev Canon David Crooks who retired last August. Clergy from other denominations mingled with parishioners from…
There’s an old adage which holds that good things come in threes and that was certainly the case in Kilrea, this evening, St Peter’s Day (Sunday 29th June 2025), where – on an historic evening for the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe – three women were ordained by Rt Rev’d Andrew Forster as priests of…
Members of three parishes in Donegal came face-to-face ‘officially’ with their new Rector for the first time, on Friday evening (20th June 2025), as Rev’d Johnny Lowden was instituted as the incumbent of the Stranorlar, Meenglass & Kilteevogue CofI Group in the beautiful Finn Valley. It was a glorious evening for a service marking the…
“It is quite something,” Bishop Andrew Forster said this evening, “to come into a building as Mr James Shiels and to leave it as the Reverend James Shiels.” The Bishop was preaching to the congregation in Glendermott Parish Church in general, and addressing James in particular, at his Ordination Service as Deacon. “It is quite…
The Rector of Glendermott and Newbuildings, Rev Canon Robert Boyd, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Canon Boyd is one of 70 people in Northern Ireland recognised by the King for their service and achievement. Canon Boyd’s award was given “for services to the community in County Tyrone and County…
A piece of history was made in St Eunan’s Cathedral Raphoe, this evening, as the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe’s “newest priests” were ordained to the priesthood in the Ordained Local Ministry (O.L.M.) by Rt Rev Andrew Forster. It was “a privilege and joy” the Bishop said, to be with Rev Brian Robinson and Rev…
Half a century of service in episcopal ministry was celebrated this morning (on St Columba’s Day) when a congregation gathered for a Choral Eucharist in St Columb’s Cathedral to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Robin Eames. Lord Eames served as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe from 1975 to 1980, and thereafter…
We, in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, have embarked on our biggest ever consultation exercise as part of our ongoing Diocesan Review. Bishop Andrew’s encouraging parishioners and clergy to complete this survey which will gather your views on a range of matters concerning the ministry, mission and future of the Diocese. Your responses will…
Derry and Raphoe Mothers’ Union’s new President, Kaye Nesbitt, was commissioned by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, on Friday evening (6th June 2025), at a service in St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe. The service was led by the Dean of Raphoe, Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald, and during it, two other…
