The Right Rev James Edward Moore, who died in Bangor Hospital, Co Down, last month aged 71, was Bishop of Connor for more than six years from 1995 to 2001, and until recently was president of the Church Mission Society Ireland (CMS Ireland).
James Edward Moore was born in Bray, Co Wicklow, on May 8th, 1933, the elder son of the Rev Dr Edward Francis Butler Moore (1906-1997), curate of Bray, and Mrs Frances Olivia Moore, whose father and grandfather were successive rectors of Bray. Dr Moore later succeeded his father-in-law as rector of Bray, before becoming archdeacon of Glendalough and then bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
Bishop James Moore was the seventh generation in a long line of clergy: the Moore, Scott and Cleaver families had long associations spanning three centuries with the Bray, Delgany and Greystones area of north Co Wicklow.
His ancestors included Euseby Cleaver (1745-1819), who was bishop of Ferns during the 1798 Rising and later archbishop of Dublin.
Jimmy Moore began his education at Aravon School, Bray, and later entered Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, where his contemporaries included Samuel Poyntz, who would be his immediate predecessor as bishop of Connor.
From Portora, he went on to Trinity College Dublin, where he read philosophy (then known as mental and moral sciences), graduating with a BA in 1954 and receiving his MA in 1964.
After training for the ministry in the Church of Ireland, he received his Divinity Testimonium in 1956; he was ordained deacon that year and priest a year later. In those days, curates commonly served at least two curacies.
Jimmy Moore's first curacy was in the Belfast parish of Knock in the Diocese of Down, where the rector was the Rev William Joseph Whittaker and the senior curate was the Rev JO (Jack) Rolston. Jack and Jimmy worked together for the best part of four years, until 1960, and they shared in ministry again 35 years later when Jimmy Moore went to Connor as bishop to find Jack Rolston was his archdeacon.
The future bishop left Knock for a second curacy in Bangor under another future bishop, George Alderson Quinn. In 1962, he was appointed curate-in-charge of the new parochial area of Belvoir, formed out of the parishes of Knockbreda and Drumbo. There he saw a new church completed and consecrated in 1964 and built a flourishing church community on a foundation of thoughtful, well-ordered worship and the hard graft of visitation and pastoral ministry.
In 1962 he married Mary Fetherston in Bangor. Their two children, Peter and Gillian, were born during the time in Belvoir parish, before he became rector of Groomsport, where he served for seven years. In 1975, he was appointed to St Mark's, Dundela, one of the most prestigious and influential parishes in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, where he succeeded the Rev Robin Eames, now Archbishop of Armagh - their predecessors included many bishops, while one of the most famous sons of the parish was CS Lewis.
During his 20 years in Dundela, Jimmy Moore became a canon of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, first as prebendary of Talpestone in 1985 and then as treasurer in 1987. Due to his wisdom, his knowledge of the diocese and the respect he enjoyed among the clergy, Bishop Gordon McMullan appointed him archdeacon of Down in 1989; at the same time, he became chancellor of Saint Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.
He served on many influential church bodies, including the standing committee and the ministry commission, chaired the board of responsibility for Northern Ireland and was honorary clerical secretary of the Down and Dromore diocesan synod and council.
With the retirement of Bishop Poyntz, Archdeacon Moore was elected Bishop of Connor on March 31st, 1995. He was consecrated in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, on May 25th by Archbishop Eames, assisted by 10 bishops, and was enthroned in Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn, on June 8th.
As bishop, he was known for his hard work, common-sense wisdom, pastoral sensitivity and listening ear. But, despite establishing the "Building for Generations" programme, he was never at ease in issuing public statements and was uncomfortable with strategies and programmes. He was at his best in one-to-one dealings with both clergy and parishioners, trusting in incremental change and quiet progress, underpinned by a life of prayer and devotion.
He retired in November 2001, but continued to contribute to the expansion of the Church Mission Society Ireland as its president and to the work of the Church's ministry of healing. He maintained an active interest in ministry, working closely with Canon Alan Abernethy in Ballyholme, Co Down. He never lost his love of golf and his passion for rugby. He is survived by his wife Mary, his son Peter, daughter Gillian, and their families.
Right Rev James Edward Moore: born May 8th, 1933; died March 16th, 2005