All bishops of the Northern province are now House of
Bishops appointments.
On the day when Northern Ireland elects local
Assembly members, CNI asked why should those elected take heed of
clerical appointments made by a ‘secret society’ process.
As is customary, the Archbishop of Armagh is an appointment of the
House of Bishops.
The present Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev AET Harper,
was elected by the House in February 2007.
He is the only member of the
northern province to have become a diocesan bishop by Electoral College
process on 17 December, 2001, for the see of Connor.
The House of Bishops made the following appointments consequent to
the failure of the northern electoral colleges to produce an agreed
appointment:
Bishop Miller of Down and Dromore in Feb. 1997
Bishop Jackson of Clogher in Nov. 2001
Bishop Good of Derry and Raphoe in March 2002
Bishop Abernethy of Connor in April 2007
Very Rev P Rooke, bishop elect of Tuam, April 2011
A long term observer of northern electoral colleges contacted by CNI,
proffered this advice to those seeking preferment, “Stay cosy with the
bishops, don’t rock their boat, and you never know!
“In times past there has tended to be a reaction in the electoral
college at the nomination of persons with a particular churchmanship
being supported by a bloc of similar minded supporters.
“At least on May 5, the voters of Norther Ireland will know the names
of the candidates for the local assembly. Why should politicians who
have had the courage to put their name forward for public scrutiny pay
any attention to the episcopal leadership of a church which operates in a
manner similar to a secret society?”