The Rev Canon Will Murphy has retired as Connor Diocesan Director of Ordinands. He has held the post for the past 27 years.
Canon Murphy stepped down on 30th April 2019 and will be succeeded by the Rev Canon Kevin Graham, rector of St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis, Belfast.
Canon Murphy was ordained in Lisburn Cathedral in 1973. He was curate at Lisburn Cathedral for six years before doing a Chaplaincy Diploma in Deaf Ministry in England. He was appointed Superintendent of the Ulster Institute for the Deaf in 1979. This is a post which has evolved over the years to become Chaplain to the Church of Ireland Ministry to Deaf People.
Canon Murphy continues to carry out this chaplaincy some four decades later. He can be found in the Kinghan Church in Belfast’s Botanic Avenue most Sundays conducting a service for the deaf.
Canon Murphy was also Chaplain in the Maze Prison for 19 years. He was appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands by Bishop Samuel Poyntz, and has served in this role under Bishops Poyntz, James Moore, Alan Harper and Alan Abernethy.
“It has been an exciting 27 years under four Bishops, each one with their own particular slant on the work,” said Canon Murphy. “I have got on remarkably well with them all.
The role of Director of Ordinands did not exist when I was going for ordination, your rector just sent you to the Bishop,” he said.
Read more news from the Diocese of Connor on their website here.
