DOWN AND CONNOR, Diocese of. - In Eire. The name D. comes from the Gaelic Dun, meaning fort. C. likewise comes from the Gaelic Connaire.

In the territory of D. there were numerous episcopal sees later absorbed by that of D., founded by St. Fergus in the 6th century. The town that gave the diocese its name is today called Downpatrick.

There repose the relics of St. Patrick, together with those of other Irish patron saints, Brigid and Columcille. Within the bounds of this diocese was situated the ancient and famous monastery of Bennchor (Bangor), where St. Columban of Bobbio received his first religious formation (v. COMPALL).

C., founded toward the end of the 5th century by St. Macnisse, in turn absorbed several ancient dioceses. St. Malachy was bishop of C. before becoming archbishop of Armagh in 1134. When three years later he withdrew from Armagh, he became bishop of D. The two sees were united in 1441.

The two dioceses comprise 2,419 sq. km., 62 parishes, 124 churches, 208 diocesan priests, 51 religious, 1 seminary, 7 male religious communities, 30 convents of nuns. Out of 755,382 inhabitants, Catholics number 183,047 (1949).

The diocese is a suffragan of Armagh; the bishop resides in Belfast.

Bibliography5 works

BIBL.: Annals of Four Masters (compilation due to 4 Franciscans of Donegal in 1632), ed. by J. O'Donovan, 5 vols., Dublin 1859 (v. index); W. M. Brady, Episcopal succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, A. D. 1400 to 1875, 3 vols., Rome 1876 (v. index); A. Bellesheim, Geschichte der katholischen Kirche in Irland, 3 vols., Mainz 1800-91 (v. index); O. Laverty, Historical account of D. and C., 5 vols., Dublin 1895; Irish catholic directory and almanach 1949, ibid. 1949, p. 181.

Dionisio Mac Daid

@incollection{ec4_down_e_connor_diocesi_di, author = {Mac, Daid Dionisio}, title = {Down e Connor, diocesi di}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {IV}, pages = {1918}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1950}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/down-e-connor-diocesi-di} }

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Down and Connor, Diocese of

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