Bishop Darren McCartney is instituted in Kilbroney
Bishop Darren and Karen McCartney and their son Liam, have exchanged the Canadian Arctic for a beautiful corner of South Down.
Bishop Harold instituted Darren as rector of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney on Tuesday 25 June in St Bronach’s, Rostrevor. Brother David Jardine, a longtime friend, gave the address.
Darren is returning to Down and Dromore after seven years as Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of the Arctic. Prior to that he was rector of Knocknamuckley, in Dromore Diocese.
During their time in northern Canada, Karen worked for the Nunavut Government as a Social Development Coordinator. They also became parents to Liam after waiting 17½ years.
“Having lived in a land of snow for 10 months of the year, we can’t wait to see Liam processing the immense beauty of our native land, from flowers to trees, mountains to rain,” said Darren.
“For him to hear others speaking in a similar accent as his parents and for him to develop relationships with our families will be a real treat.”.
Originally from Dundrod, a small farming community outside Belfast, Darren is familiar with his new surroundings at the southern edge of the Mournes.
As a 10–year old child, he remembers climbing up to the Hare’s Gap and Slieve Bearnagh before returning to Leitrim Lodge, a place that he would visit often in his teenage years and well into his twenties with the Boy’s Brigade and mountain leadership training.
Looking ahead to this new chapter of ministry Darren said:
“I am very much looking forward to once again being located in a parish and investing in the ministry of the parish.
“It is a passion of mine to see the local church reaching out to all with the love of Christ. I love to see followers of Christ develop the gift or gifts that God has given them for this task. It is my desire to support and see people participate within the life of the community of faith.
“We are very much looking forward to making our home with you.”
