Press Releases08 Nov 04

The story of 'Any Parson' - new book published

NEW BIOGRAPHY TRACES STORY OF 'ANY PARSON'

A new biography entitled Some Parson! Some Man! due to be published later this week traces the story of the Revd Gordon Hannon, a Church of Ireland clergyman who served as Head of the Trinity College Mission on the Shankill Road, Belfast in 1917 and later went on to spearhead the development of the Moral Re-Armament movement (MRA) in various parts of the world.

The biography is written by his son David Hannon who tells his father's story using a mixture of documented history, some humour, great affection and personal memories and those of the rest of the family. David enjoyed a career in the media with BBC, Downtown Radio and UTV and is now retired living in Killyleagh.

Says David Hannon: "My father left a clear and challenging message for all men and women working in the ministry of Christian churches of all denominations. This challenge is based on a manuscript found among his papers which had the working title Any Parson but he was certainly Some Parson and Some Man!"

Archbishop Robin Eames describes Gordon Hannon as a prophet ahead of his time. He adds: "This book has captured a wonderful character with the natural affection of the author for his subject combining with an admirable objectivity. I enjoyed it so much I read it straight through."

Cardinal Cahal Daly said: "A consolation evoked in me by this biography is that the Holy Spirit is at work in all our denominations, and it is the same Holy Spirit in them all. Gordon Hannons stress on how people who avoid facing up to Christ's total challenge can often be found promoting divisions between the Churches, and, indeed, divisions within the Churches is particularly relevant. Gordon Hannon and his wife, Hilda followed the Star. I say Thank God for such people."

Dr John Dunlop, the former Presbyterian Moderator, said: "This kind of personal history helps to fill out the bare facts of history. It gives an insight into the all-Ireland environment of many families prior to Partition and the losses suffered in the First World War."

Dr Ken Stewart says the book has the hallmark of a labour of love and catches the characteristics which endeared Gordon Hannon to many people around the world.

Gordon Hannon, father of the Rt Revd Brian Hannon, former Bishop of Clogher, was born in Athy, County Kildare in 1891. He was ordained Deacon in 1915 and Priest in 1916. Both of his younger brothers were killed in the First World War.

A rising star in the church Gordon was appointed Rector of Ballymoney in 1920 and later a Canon and Rector of Shankill Parish, Lurgan in 1924 when he was still only 32 years old. In 1932 he became Archdeacon of Dromore.

In 1939 his career took an unexpected turn. He left parochial work and committed himself full-time, without salary, to the work of MRA which had grown out of The Oxford Group. He was with MRA until 1953 when he became Vicar of the Parish of Kilbroney in Rostrevor.

He later became chairman of the Churches' Industrial Council working with Dr Cahal Daly, Revd Sidney Callaghan, Dr Donald Frazer and David Bleakley.

Gordon Hannon retired in 1960 and lived in Cultra where he continued to maintain his contacts with MRA. Later he and his wife Hilda moved to North Antrim and settled in and around Ballycastle, Armoy and Mosside. He died in January 1978.

Some Parson! Some Man! will be launched at a reception in Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, Newtownbreda on Thursday, 12 November 2004 at 5.30pm.