The Diocese of Down & Connor is supported by a number of departments and offices, each dedicated to a specific area of diocesan life. These teams work together to serve parishes, schools, clergy, and the faithful across Counties Antrim and Down.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Office is responsible for the protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults across the Diocese of Down & Connor. Led by the Safeguarding Director, the office oversees all safeguarding policies and procedures in compliance with the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI).
Key responsibilities include: vetting and Access NI checks for all volunteers and staff working with children or vulnerable adults; delivering safeguarding awareness training to clergy, parish volunteers, and staff; managing allegations and concerns; supporting parishes in maintaining safe environments; and conducting regular audits of parish safeguarding practices.
If you have a safeguarding concern, please do not hesitate to contact the office. All concerns are treated with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality.
Contact: downandconnorsafeguarding.com
"Everyone has the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect."
NBSCCCI Safeguarding Principles
The Diocese of Down & Connor is home to over 150 Catholic schools, making it one of the largest Catholic school systems on the island of Ireland. The diocesan education office works closely with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), which acts as the employing authority for teachers and staff in Catholic maintained schools.
Key areas of work include: supporting school governance and boards of governors; promoting and nurturing the Catholic ethos across all schools; overseeing Religious Education curriculum development; assisting with school development planning; facilitating the appointment of school principals and senior leaders; and liaising with the Department of Education, Education Authority, and CCMS on matters of policy and provision.
Catholic education in the diocese is rooted in the belief that every child is made in the image and likeness of God, and that schools are places where faith, learning, and community life flourish together.
Living Youth is the youth ministry arm of the Diocese of Down & Connor, dedicated to accompanying young people on their faith journey. The team organises a wide range of programmes, events, and retreats designed to help young people encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and develop as leaders within the Church.
Central to its work is the Pope John Paul II Award, a prestigious faith and social achievement programme for young people aged 16 and above. Participants complete parish involvement, social awareness activities, and a presentation to receive their award. The programme has been hugely successful across the diocese, with hundreds of young people taking part each year.
Living Youth also coordinates pilgrimages (including youth groups for the diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage), Advent and Lenten retreats, summer faith camps, leadership training, and outreach to schools and parish youth groups.
A faith achievement award for young people aged 16+. Participants engage in parish involvement and social awareness activities, growing in faith and service to others.
Young people, parents, and parish leaders can contact the Living Youth office to learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and how to register for programmes.
The Diocesan Vocations Office exists to promote and support vocations to the priesthood, permanent diaconate, and religious life within the Diocese of Down & Connor. Under the direction of the Vocations Director, the office accompanies men and women who are discerning God's call in their lives.
The office organises vocations awareness initiatives including parish visits, school presentations, discernment evenings, retreats, and prayer vigils. It works to foster a culture of vocation across the diocese, encouraging the faithful to pray for vocations and to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Men considering a vocation to the diocesan priesthood are invited to contact the Vocations Director for a confidential conversation. The journey typically involves a period of discernment, followed by formation at the national seminary (St Patrick's College, Maynooth, or the Pontifical Irish College, Rome).
"The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest."
Matthew 9:37-38
Accord is the Catholic marriage and relationship support agency operating within the Diocese of Down & Connor. With a long history of service, Accord provides professional, confidential support to couples at every stage of their relationship.
Pre-Marriage Courses: Couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage are encouraged to attend an Accord Pre-Marriage course. These courses explore the key aspects of married life including communication, conflict resolution, spirituality, fertility awareness, and the meaning of the marriage covenant. Courses are available in various formats throughout the year.
Marriage & Relationship Counselling: Accord offers professional counselling for couples and individuals experiencing relationship difficulties. The counselling service is confidential, affordable, and available regardless of religious background. Trained counsellors provide a safe space to work through challenges and strengthen relationships.
Contact: Visit accord.ie for course dates and to book counselling appointments.
Couples must complete an approved Pre-Marriage course before their wedding. Contact your parish priest and book your Accord course well in advance.
Accord counselling is open to all couples and individuals, regardless of faith background. Sessions are confidential and offered on a sliding scale of fees.
The Catechetics Office supports faith formation throughout the Diocese of Down & Connor, providing resources and training for parishes and schools to help people of all ages grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.
Sacramental Preparation: The office develops and distributes resources for the preparation of children and families for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. These resources ensure a consistent and enriching preparation experience across the diocese.
Adult Faith Development: Recognising that faith formation is a lifelong journey, the office offers programmes for adults seeking to deepen their faith. This includes RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) support for those entering the Church, Scripture study groups, Lenten and Advent programmes, and workshops on Catholic social teaching.
The office also supports catechists in parishes through training days, resource provision, and ongoing formation opportunities.
Preparation programmes for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, designed for use in parishes and schools throughout the diocese.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults supports those seeking to join the Catholic Church. Parish teams can access resources and training through the Catechetics Office.
The Diocesan Liturgy Office provides guidance and support for the celebration of the sacred liturgy across the Diocese of Down & Connor. Its work ensures that the liturgical life of the diocese is celebrated with reverence, beauty, and fidelity to the norms of the Church.
Liturgical Guidance: The office assists parishes with the proper celebration of the sacraments, seasonal liturgies, and special celebrations. It provides guidelines on liturgical practice in line with the directives of the Irish Bishops' Conference and the Holy See.
Music Ministry: Sacred music is an integral part of the liturgy. The office supports parish music groups and choirs, offering resources, workshops, and guidance on the selection of appropriate hymns and liturgical music.
Training: Formation programmes are available for Readers (Lectors), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, altar servers, and others involved in liturgical ministry. These programmes equip lay ministers to serve with competence and devotion.
Contact your parish or the Liturgy Office for training opportunities and resources.
The Diocesan Communications Office serves as the public voice of the Diocese of Down & Connor, managing media relations, digital communications, and diocesan publications. The office ensures that the faithful and the wider public are kept informed of diocesan news, events, and pastoral initiatives.
Press Office: The Communications Office handles all media enquiries and issues press releases and statements on behalf of the Bishop and the diocese. It liaises with local, national, and international media on matters relating to the diocese and the Church.
Digital & Social Media: The diocese maintains an active presence on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter, providing regular updates, sharing the Bishop's messages, and promoting diocesan events. The diocesan website serves as a central hub for information and resources.
Publications: The office oversees diocesan publications including pastoral letters, newsletters, and resource materials for parishes.
The Diocesan Finance Office manages the financial affairs of the Diocese of Down & Connor, ensuring responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Church. The office operates under the oversight of the Diocesan Finance Council, in accordance with canon law and civil charity regulations.
Diocesan Financial Management: The office oversees the diocesan budget, investments, insurance, and financial reporting. It ensures compliance with UK charity law and the requirements of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (the diocese is registered as UK Charity No. 103983).
Parish Accounts Support: The office provides guidance and training to parish finance committees and treasurers, helping parishes maintain proper accounting records, prepare annual accounts, and meet their financial obligations.
Gift Aid: The diocese operates a centralised Gift Aid scheme, enabling tax-efficient giving by parishioners. Through Gift Aid, the diocese can reclaim 25p for every £1 donated by UK taxpayers at no extra cost to the donor. Parishes are encouraged to promote Gift Aid enrolment among their parishioners.
If you are a UK taxpayer, signing up for Gift Aid allows the diocese to reclaim 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you. Contact your parish office to enrol.
Your generosity supports the mission and ministry of the Church across Down & Connor. Donations can be made through your parish or via the diocesan office.
Make a DonationThe Patrimony and Buildings Office is responsible for the care, maintenance, and development of the built heritage of the Diocese of Down & Connor. This includes over 150 churches, parish halls, presbyteries, schools, and other diocesan properties, many of which are buildings of significant architectural and historical importance.
Maintenance & Repairs: The office advises parishes on the upkeep of their buildings, from routine maintenance to major renovation projects. It assists with planning applications, building surveys, contractor procurement, and project management.
Heritage Preservation: Many churches in the diocese are listed buildings or contain items of artistic and historical significance. The office works with heritage bodies, conservation architects, and statutory agencies to ensure that these treasures are preserved for future generations while remaining functional places of worship.
Parishes planning building works should contact the Patrimony Office at an early stage for guidance on procedures, permissions, and best practice.
The diocese is custodian of 151 churches across 88 parishes, ranging from historic 18th-century chapels to modern places of worship.
All parish building projects require diocesan approval. Contact the Patrimony Office before beginning any construction, renovation, or repair works.
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most treasured traditions of the Diocese of Down & Connor. Each year, hundreds of pilgrims from across the diocese travel to the Marian shrine at Lourdes in southern France, following in the footsteps of millions who have sought the intercession of Our Lady since the apparitions to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
The pilgrimage is a profound experience of prayer, community, and service. It brings together the sick and those with disabilities, their carers, medical volunteers, youth helpers, and general pilgrims in a spirit of faith and mutual support. The programme includes daily Mass, the Sacrament of the Sick, processions, visits to the Grotto and baths, and time for personal prayer and reflection.
The pilgrimage is typically held in July each year. Registration opens in the spring, and all are welcome to participate as pilgrims, helpers, or medical volunteers. Financial assistance may be available for those who need support.
"I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the next."
Our Lady to St Bernadette, Lourdes 1858
The Ecumenism Office fosters inter-church relations and dialogue within the Diocese of Down & Connor, reflecting the call of the Second Vatican Council for all Christians to work towards visible unity. In the context of Northern Ireland, where communities of different traditions live side by side, the ecumenical mission of the Church has a particular significance and urgency.
Inter-Church Dialogue: The diocese participates in structured ecumenical dialogue at local and national level, including engagement with the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Methodist Church in Ireland, and other Christian communities. These conversations explore shared beliefs, address areas of difference, and build relationships of trust and mutual respect.
Shared Initiatives: Ecumenical collaboration takes many practical forms, including joint prayer services (particularly during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January), shared community outreach projects, cross-community programmes, and joint responses to social issues affecting the wider community.
The diocese remains committed to the vision expressed by Pope Francis: that Christians should walk together, pray together, and work together for the common good.
"That they may all be one."
John 17:21
18–25 January each year. Parishes are encouraged to participate in ecumenical prayer services with neighbouring churches.
For general enquiries about any diocesan department or office, please contact the Diocesan Curia at Lisbreen.
