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Canon Brian Harper installed as Archdeacon of Clogher
Left to right: Canon Kyle Hanlon; The Very Rev Kenneth Hall, Dean of Clogher; The Rt Revd John McDowell,Bishop of Clogher; The Venerable Terry Scott, Archdeacon of Armagh; The Venerable Brian Harper, Archdeacon of Clogher; Canon Geoffrey Bridle.
Canon Brian Harper, rector of Magheracross has been installed as the new Archdeacon of Clogher following the move by the Revd Helene Steed to take up an incumbency in the Diocese of Down. The Service of Installation took place on Sunday 22nd January in St Macartan's Cathedral, Clogher.
Brian was ordained in 1986 and has served in rural parishes in Armagh and Clogher throughout his ministry. He brings a wealth of experience to his new post, and has enjoyed the confidence of his colleagues as Clerical Honorary Secretary of the Diocesan Council and Synod. Canon Geoffrey Bridle, rector of Cleenish and Mullaghdun was installed as prebend of Tyholland in the Cathedral Chapter, and Canon Bridle's canonry without prebend was filled by the appointment of the Revd Kyle Hanlon, rector of Fivemiletown.
The Dean of Clogher, the Very Revd Kenny Hall conducted the Service of Installation and Admission and was also the celebrant. The preacher was the Archdeacon of Armagh, the Venerable Terry Scott. Dean Hall has welcomed the appointments. He said 'I have known both Canon Bridle and Canon Hanlon for the last six years since my appointment as Dean and I recognise that they have served in the Diocese for many years prior to that. Canon Hanlon having initially served in the parish of Dromore for 6 years, and latterly as rector of Fivemiletown since 2006. During his time in the diocese he has contributed to the work of both the diocesan youth council and the diocesan board of religious education, a board for which he worked significantly on the compilation of the Kid's Guide to the Book of Common Prayer. He served as rural dean of Kilskeery rural deanery for a time, and currently serves as a clerical member of both Diocesan Council and General Synod. Canon Bridle has also served as a clerical member of Diocesan Council during his time in Clogher Diocese, and he is a clerical member of General Synod. Since moving to Clogher Diocese in 1999 he has served as rector of the grouped parishes of Cleenish and Mullaghdun. Archdeacon Harper and I have known each other for over thirty years and we have ministered together in both the dioceses of Armagh and Clogher as well as travelling together to visit the Church of Sudan and the Church of Uganda - both his faith and experience will enrich the life of our Diocese as he serves in this senior post. Since his appointment as rector of Magheracross in 2012 he has been involved with many aspects of diocesan life, he currently serves as a Honorary Secretary of both Diocesan Council and Diocesan Synod, he is the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, is a member of General Synod and it's Standing Committee, and has served as Prebend of Tyholland on the Cathedral Chapter since 2014. He is also a Diocesan Nominator and a member of the Representative Church Body.'