All bishops of the Northern province save one are now House of Bishops appointments. On the day when Northern Ireland elects local Assembly members, CNI asks why should those elected take heed of clerical appointments made by a ‘secret society’ process.
As is customary, the Archbishop of Armagh is an appointment of the House of Bishops. The present Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev AET Harper, was elected by the House in February 2007. He is the only member of the northern province to have become a diocesan bishop by Electoral College process on 17 December, 2001, for the see of Connor.
The House of Bishops made the following appointments consequent to the failure of the northern electoral colleges to produce an agreed appointment:
Bishop Miller of Down and Dromore in Feb. 1997
Bishop Jackson of Clogher in Nov. 2001
Bishop Good of Derry and Raphoe in March 2002
Bishop Abernethy of Connor in April 2007
Very Rev P Rooke, bishop elect of Tuam, April 2011
Bishop Ken Clarke of Kilmore was elected by a college.
A long term observer of northern electoral colleges contacted by CNI, proffered this advice to those seeking preferment, “Stay cosy with the bishops, don’t rock their boat, and you never know!
“In times past there has tended to be a reaction in the electoral college at the nomination of persons with a particular churchmanship being supported by a bloc of similar minded supporters.
“At least on May 5, the voters of Norther Ireland will know the names of the candidates for the local assembly. Why should politicians who have had the courage to put their name forward for public scrutiny pay any attention to the episcopal leadership of a church which operates in a manner similar to a secret society?”