The Church of Ireland Benefice of Christ Church, Londonderry, and the Grouped Parishes of Culmore, Muff and St Peter's are to be amalgamated into a new parochial group.

Following the retirement of Canon Matt Moore, the former rector of Culmore, Muff and St Peter's, Rev Gloria Lee from Canada has been serving in a short-term capacity as Priest in Charge. She has now returned to her home diocese of Nova Scotia.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Rev Ken Good, has had discussions with representatives of those parishes and of Christ Church, and has announced that the newly enlarged grouping is to go ahead, subject to the formal ratification of the Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Council.

Canon Bill McNee, who has been Rector of Christ Church since 2004, will take on pastoral responsibility for the whole group and be assisted by Rev Katie McAteer, who has been serving as a deacon in Letterkenny.

Bishop Good has welcomed the new arrangements: "The formation of this new Parish Group is a very constructive development.

"Great credit is due to Canon Bill McNee, to Rev Gloria Lee, and to the representatives of each of the parishes involved in the recent discussions. They have all demonstrated a desire to structure these parishes for effective ministry and future development, while taking into account the significant movement of large numbers of Church of Ireland families from the city side in recent decades."