The Diocese of Down and Connor is enriched by the Bishops and priests who have dedicated themselves in service to God and his people.  Our priests and Bishops also have a continuing need to be ministered to and to be recepients of encouragment and support as they engage in their vocational duties.  The Living Church will seek to explore how we as a Diocese support the ongoing human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation that is essential for effective ministry. 

Co-responsibility between priest and laity is to be embraced as an opportunity to enable our clergy to engage in the tasks for which they were ordained and to gain respect for the roles of consecrated and lay people alike.  As the Irish Church embraces a time of renewal we will be reliant on our clergy to feed us spiritually and to provide joint leadership in the strengthening of our Parish communities. 

 
“I urge you to preach the Word, in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking or advising, always with patience and providing instruction.  So be prudent, do not mind your labour, give yourself to your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

2 Timothy 4:2,5