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new Crozier has been commissioned for future Bishops of Connor.
Before Christmas, the current Bishop, the Rt Rev Alan Harper,
commissioned goldsmith Graham Harron of Killylea to design and
make a new Crozier for the diocese.
The existing Crozier, which dates from 1876, incorporates a
piece of an older 17th century Crozier and is, according to
Bishop Harper, in a somewhat fragile condition.
When the new Crozier is in use, the existing Crozier will be
loaned to St Anne's Cathedral to be put on public display.
Bishop Harper said: 'I use the Crozier at every confirmation and
every service I go to in the diocese. It has taken a lot of
knocks in its time. It originally belonged to the old Diocese of
Down, Connor and Dromore, and in 1945 came to Connor when the
dioceses were separated, because the Bishop stayed in Connor.
'The new Crozier will be loosely based on the Ardclinis
Crozier which came from the diocese and is now in the National
Museum of Dublin, but it will be quite distinctive.'
The Crozier will come in three pieces, making it easier to
transport around than the existing large Crozier, said Bishop
Harper.
The head will be silver and gold studded with amethyst and
decorated with Celtic designs, while the snakes on the old
Crozier will be incorporated into the new one.
Bishop Harper said he hoped the new Crozier would be ready for
use by St Patrick's Day. March 17.
21/01/2007
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