Press Releases23 Mar 05

Church of Ireland Press Officer retires

The Reverend Brian Parker, Press Officer for the Church of Ireland, will retire at the end of March.

Mr Parker became acting Press Officer for the Church of Ireland in 2000 in order to provide a press service for the General Synod of that year following his early retirement from a senior position in the Government Information Services.

Mr Parker's role extended beyond the General Synod and in the course of the following year, he became an indispensable part of the Church of Ireland staff. He was persuaded to take up the role in a full-time capacity in 2002.

Since then he has played a major part in providing a regular stream of press releases that cover the breadth and depth of the Church's mission and witness. He manages the Church's media interface with the Anglican Communion and was actively involved in providing media support to the Lambeth Commission chaired by the Most Reverend Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and to the recent Primates Meeting in the Dromantine Centre at Newry.

Mrs Janet Maxwell, Head of Synod Services and Communications said: “Brian Parker is widely respected in the Church of Ireland and among the media for his calm approach to issues and his patience in unpacking 'the story'.�

The Rt Reverend Alan Harper, Bishop of Connor and Chairman of the Church's Central Communications Board said: "Brian Parker has brought a lifetime of skill in the area of press relations to his role as Press Officer for the Church of Ireland. The hallmark of his work has been his complete dependability and the sound guidance he has always made available to all his colleagues. His experience has provided a steady and reliable resource for those who use the Church's Press Office and his knowledge of the structures and personnel of the Church has been invaluable. We wish him well as he moves into retirement."