The Primate has appointed the Venerable Donald McLean, Archdeacon of Derry, to be his Commissary for the diocese of Derry and Raphoe following the retirement of the Right Reverend Dr James Mehaffey on 31 January.

The College will consist of 52 members including three members of the House of Bishops, 12 elected clergy and 12 elected lay persons from the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe and two Diocesan Clerical and two Diocesan Lay Episcopal electors from each of the other Dioceses in the Northern Province – Armagh; Clogher; Down and Dromore; Connor; Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh; Tuam, Killala and Achonry.

Voting will take place on names brought forward by the College until one name receives tow-thirds of the votes of both the lay and clerical members who will vote separately. If no person receives the requisite majority, the appointment will pass to the House of Bishops.

The College is closed to non-electors and media. A result could be known between 4pm and 5pm on Friday, 1 March.