THE Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor last night said he is to retire on health grounds.
The Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, who has been bishop for more than 12 years, is to step down at the end of the year.
The 62-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 and began treatment last November, taking part in a clinical trial. But he said following medical advice, he had taken the decision to retire with "a very heavy heart and spirit".
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, the Most Rev Dr Richard Clarke wished him "a happy and fulfilling retirement".
"For well over a decade, Alan has given powerful, courageous and dedicated service to the Diocese of Connor and to the wider Church of Ireland, and now to relinquish office in circumstances of ill-health is inevitably far from easy for him," he said.
