The Archbishop of Armagh has announced the following Diocesan appointments:

Following the retirement of the Rev’d Canon Matthew Hagan, the Archbishop has appointed the Rev’d Andy Moore, rector of the parishes of Clonfeacle, Derrygortreavy and Eglish (Drumsallan) to be the Rural Dean of Dungannon. Archbishop John said “I am very grateful to Canon Hagan for all his hard work and pastoral care as Rural Dean of Dungannon over the past four years. This role involved the care of quite a number of vacant parishes and Canon Hagan brought his usual thoroughness to the task. I am delighted that the Rev’d Andy Moore has agreed to take up this role with immediate effect and I wish him well as he gains experience in this role”.

The Rev’d Andy added “I’m very happy to accept the Archbishop of Armagh’s invitation to be the next Rural Dean of Dungannon. I look forward to many happy years continuing to work with my colleagues within the Dungannon Deanery. Canon Hagan has left a strong legacy, and I will try my best to continue his work, and wish him a long and happy retirement.”

The Archbishop has also appointed the Rev’d Rhonda Dempsey, an Ordained Local Minister, serving in the parishes of Donaghmore, Donaghmore Upper and Pomeroy, to be his Chaplain also with immediate effect. “ I hope that it is encouraging not only to the Rev’d Rhonda but to all in the Diocese to have a Chaplain to assist me at appropriate occasions of public worship who is at the start of her ministerial journey. I look forward to working with the Rev’d Rhonda in this role in the years ahead”.

The Rev’d Rhonda added “I am deeply honoured by the Archbishop’s invitation to serve as Chaplain. It is a privilege to support him in this role, particularly in the context of public worship across the Diocese. I am grateful for the encouragement and support I have received in my ministry to date in the parishes of Donaghmore, Donaghmore Upper and Pomeroy, and I look forward to this new opportunity to serve the wider Diocesan family. I pray that I may carry out this responsibility faithfully in the years ahead.”