Diocesan News
A trio of canons for Down and Dromore
Bishop Harold Miller has announced three new canons – one for each of the diocesan cathedrals:
- The Revd John Auchmuty, rector of St Columba’s, Knock, is to be a Canon of Down Cathedral.
- The Revd Bryan Martin, rector of Donaghcloney and Waringstown, is to be a Canon of Dromore Cathedral
- The Revd Gareth Harron, vicar of Holywood, is to be a Canon of Belfast Cathedral.
Revd John Auchmuty
John was ordained deacon in 1992 for the curacy of St. Mark’s, Dundela, where he served for over four years. His first incumbency was in the Diocese of Armagh before he moved back to Down and Dromore as rector of Killaney and Carryduff in 2001.
John became rector of Knock in September 2007. He is married to Caroline and they have 2 teenage children. John’s other responsibilities include serving as Area Dean for Lagan and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Church of Ireland Press Ltd.
He says: “I feel greatly honoured and humbled to have been appointed a Canon of Down Cathedral. Throughout my ministry I have had many connections with the Cathedral beginning with my ordination as Priest which took place there in June 1993. I have long had a great interest in the Cathedral and its ministry both in the diocese and in the local community. I am looking forward immensely to working with the Dean along with my new colleagues on the Chapter and members of the Cathedral community in the months and years ahead. I count it a very great privilege to be given this opportunity and I ask for your prayers for Caroline, Charles, Henry and myself as preparations are made for my Installation.”
Revd Bryan Martin
Bryan was ordained deacon in 2001 and served two curacies in the diocese – one in Dromore (Magheralin) and one in Down (Knockbreda).
In 2007 he became rector of Dromore in Clogher Diocese and in 2010 moved back to Dromore Diocese as rector of Donaghcloney and Waringstown. Bryan also serves the Diocese of Dromore as Hon Clerical Secretary to the Diocesan Synod.
Bryan is married to Lisa and they have three children. He says: “I’m humbled by the invitation to become a Canon of Dromore Cathedral. I look forward to getting to know the people of Dromore and serving Christ with the Chapter and the newly appointed Dean.”
Revd Gareth Harron
Revd Gareth Harron was ordained deacon in 1995 for the curacy of Willowfield in Down Diocese. Gareth served a second curacy in the Cathedral Parish of Dromore before becoming rector of Magheralin in Dromore Diocese.
He and his wife Ruth, had 13 very special years in Magheralin, where they enjoyed the growth of the church and had their three children. Gareth was a chapter member in Dromore Cathedral for some four years until he was appointed to Holywood Parish at the end of 2015.
He says: “I am humbled and honoured to have been invited to share in the ministry of St Anne’s Cathedral. I am conscious that the role became available due to the retirement of Canon Norman Jardine with whom I served my first curacy in Belfast. I am looking forward to working with the Dean, the Chapter and the Cathedral community as it seeks to reach out to the city of Belfast and the dioceses it serves.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
[email protected]