Primate of All Ireland to retire

Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland Alan Harper is to retire, he announced today.

Archbishop Harper, 68, had been a bishop for 10 years, having served as Bishop of Connor from 2002 to 2007. He is standing down at the end of September.

He was elected as Archbishop of Armagh in January 2007 and enthroned in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, two months later.

A church spokesman said he would continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland as normal until the end of September.

The Church of Ireland House of Bishops will consider choosing his successor in due course.