Former Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Gordon McMullan has passed away.
He served as Bishop of Clogher from 1980 to 1986, and as Bishop of Down and Dromore from 1986 to 1997.
Tributes to the 89-year-old father and grandfather have been pouring in from colleagues in the Church of Ireland.
Among those to remember Bishop McMullan has been the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Reverend John McDowell.
The Archbishop said when he served in the Diocese of Clogher from 2011 to 2020, he was told Bishop McMullan had ‘the ability to see round corners’ because he had the gift of wisdom and foresight.
The Archbishop of Dublin said he “remembers with affection” Bishop McMullan’s “care for the people of the diocese in what were troubled times.”
The Rt. Revd Dr Gordon McMullan was elected as Bishop of Clogher in June 1980, and was consecrated in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, in September of that year.
Bishop McMullan was subsequently elected as Bishop of Down and Dromore in March 1986 and throughout his ministry was deeply involved in cross-community bridge-building and mutual understanding, pastoral care, and active concern for the unemployed and people living in areas of social and economic disadvantage.
He retired in 1997. Dr McMullan was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, in 2006 and is survived by their two sons, Philip and Stephen.
The Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, who was Bishop of Clogher from 2002 to 2011 said:
“Having lived in Clogher Diocese when Bishop Gordon McMullan was bishop, I remember with affection his own care for the people of the diocese in what were troubled times.”
“He is remembered for facilitating an administrative structure for the diocese that stood the test of time and enabled both parishes and the diocese itself to flourish with calm confidence,” Archbishop Jackson added.
The current Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd Dr Ian Ellis said Bishop McMullan is remembered fondly in Clogher.
“He was a very pastoral bishop who was across the detail of diocesan life and kept an attentive watch over the flock in his care. His deep interest in learning meant he gave considerable time to young people and education in this diocese.
