CHURCH of Ireland members yesterday failed to elect a new bishop for the diocese of Down and Dromore to succeed Dr Gordon McMullan, who has retired. The decision will now be made by the church's 12 bishops who are expected to meet within the next week or 10 days.
Under the church's rules, an "electoral college" puts names forward and a process of voting starts until the new appointee is decided. If a bishop is not elected after one day, the decision is made by the hierarchy.