In Memoriam Bishop Anthony Farquhar

The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity has learned with sadness of the death on 18 November 2023 of Bishop Anthony (Tony) Farquhar. Aged 83, he served as Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, Ireland’s second-largest diocese, from 1983 until his retirement in 2015.

Bishop Farquhar served as Chairman of the Commission on Ecumenism of the Irish Episcopal Conference for many years. Bishop Farquhar served as Catholic Co-Chair of the third phase of the International Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the World Communion of Reformed Churches (1998-2005). He was one of the bishops who took part in the meeting in Mississauga, Canada in May 2000 which led to the establishment of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM). His energy for harmony and deeper friendship between members of different Christian traditions during the violence of the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland was greatly esteemed throughout the country.

Requiescat in pace.