The House of Bishops of the Church of Ireland has appointed the Rev Canon Alan Abernethy as the new Bishop of Connor.

Meeting yesterday in Dublin, the bishops elected Canon Abernethy to succeed the previous Bishop of Connor, the Most Rev Alan Harper, after he was elected Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in January 2007.

Announcing the new appointment, Archbishop Harper welcomed the appointment of Canon Abernethy as the new Bishop of Connor.

"Canon Abernethy brings considerable gifts, which will greatly benefit the diocese when he begins his episcopal ministry.

"He has served as Central Director of Ordinands and has been very closely identified with the work, which the Church of Ireland is doing to reshape training for ministry," said the Archbishop, who succeeded Lord Eames as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland after his retirement from 20 years in office at the end of last year.

The appointment of Canon Abernethy follows the failure of the Electoral College to choose a new bishop at an earlier meeting of 60 senior clergy and laity last month.

Canon Abernethy, from Belfast, was ordained in 1981 and appointed to his present post as rector of Ballyholme Parish in 1990.

Canon Abernethy is married to Liz and they have a son Peter and daughter Ruth.