Bishop who ‘aided peace process’ retires aged 75

Bishop Anthony Farquhar, retiring Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor diocese, has been praised for his role in furthering co-operation between Christian denominations in Ireland. He has been a priest for more than 50 years and a bishop since 1983. His retirement on reaching the age of 75 has been accepted by Pope Francis.

The Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin said that "amongst his many contributions to the bishops' conference, and to the wider Irish society, I wish to acknowledge in particular Bishop Tony's immense role in furthering ecumenism on the island.

“His engagement and work with our fellow Christian denominations, especially during the Troubles, was of enormous support to sustaining the nascent peace process. I know that the leaders of the other Christian traditions greatly esteem his work for unity.”

Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor said that "indeed it was within this ecumenical context that I first had the pleasure to meet Bishop Tony along with the late Dr David Stevens, former leader of the Corrymeela Community, having invited them both to address the European conference of bishops in Brussels on the subject of the role of the churches in reconciliation and peace building."

He said: “From the first moment of my arrival into the diocese, I have experienced his warm support, pastoral wisdom, guidance and insightful knowledge of the diocese. His many and impressive connections with the world of sport and the opportunities that these friendships have opened up for him were personal talents that I deeply appreciated as part of his pastoral vision.”

For his own part Bishop Farquhar said: “It is to the great family of Down and Connor, bishops, clergy and laity that I would wish to acknowledge my greatest debt, to my native parish of Holy Rosary and of course to the deceased members of my family and my sister, Anne.”