Your generosity sustains the life and mission of the Diocese of Down & Connor — supporting our 88 parishes, caring for those in need, and helping the light of faith shine brightly across Counties Antrim and Down.
The Diocese of Down & Connor depends on the generosity of the faithful to carry out its mission. From the daily life of our parishes to the formation of future priests, from the education of our children to the care of those who are sick or struggling — none of this would be possible without your support.
Your donations help to sustain and strengthen:
Whatever you are able to give, please know that it is received with deep gratitude and put to work in service of the Gospel.
Your regular giving to your local parish is the foundation of the Church's life in your community. The weekly offertory supports your parish priest, maintains your church building, and funds the pastoral activities that bring people together in faith.
Please speak to your parish office about setting up regular giving.
Throughout the year, special collections are taken up at Mass for particular needs — including Peter's Pence, Trócaire, the Sick and Retired Priests' Fund, World Mission Sunday, and the Diocesan Needs Collection. These allow us to respond to the wider needs of the Church.
Collection dates are announced in parish newsletters.
You may wish to direct your generosity towards a particular cause close to your heart — the Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund, parish building or restoration projects, the Vocations Fund for seminarian formation, or Living Youth ministry programmes for young people across the diocese.
Contact the Diocesan Office for details.
If you are a UK taxpayer, the diocese can reclaim 25p for every £1 you donate through Gift Aid — at absolutely no extra cost to you. This means that a £10 donation is worth £12.50, a £50 donation becomes £62.50, and so on.
To qualify, you simply need to have paid at least as much in UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax in the tax year as the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your charitable donations. All that is required is a signed Gift Aid declaration form, which your parish can provide.
Gift Aid makes a tremendous difference to the diocese and our parishes. We warmly encourage all eligible donors to sign up — it costs you nothing, but means so much.
Ask your parish for a Gift Aid declaration form, or contact the Diocesan Finance Office.
A standing order is one of the simplest and most effective ways to give regularly. It allows you to set up an automatic payment from your bank account to your parish or to the diocese directly.
Bank details for diocesan donations:
Please contact the Diocesan Finance Office for the appropriate bank details and reference for your donation.
Tel: 028 9077 6185
We are working to make online giving available in the near future, so that you can donate conveniently and securely from anywhere. In the meantime, please use one of the other giving methods listed here.
Online donation facility coming soon. Some individual parishes may already offer online giving — please check with your local parish.
The envelope scheme is a well-established way to contribute to your parish each week. You receive a box of numbered weekly envelopes, allowing the parish to track your giving for Gift Aid purposes while keeping the amount confidential.
Contact your parish office to join the envelope scheme. It is the easiest way to ensure your Gift Aid declaration is properly applied.
Leaving a gift in your will is a deeply meaningful way to support the future of the Church. A legacy gift — whether to your parish, the diocese, or a specific fund — ensures that the faith you cherish continues to flourish for generations to come.
We recommend speaking with your solicitor and contacting the Diocesan Finance Office for guidance on including a bequest in your will.
"On behalf of the entire Diocese of Down & Connor, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all who contribute so generously to the life of the Church in our diocese. Your sacrificial giving — whether great or small — sustains our parishes, supports our priests, and enables us to reach out to those in need. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness and faithfulness."
— Most Rev. Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down & Connor
The Diocese of Down & Connor is a registered charity (UK Charity No. 103983). All donations are used in accordance with the charitable purposes of the diocese.
If you have any questions about donating, Gift Aid, or legacy giving, the Diocesan Finance Office is happy to help. We are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Lisbreen, 73 Somerton Road, Belfast BT15 4DE · 028 9077 6185
