Rev Rosie Diffin takes on new role as rector in Ballymena parish

The Rev Rosie Diffin comes to Ballymena from the Parishes of Kilcronaghan, Ballynascreen and Six Towns in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, where she has been rector since 2020.

Born in Belfast, Rosie spent most of her life in Richhill where her home parish is St Matthew’s.

A past pupil of Ashfield Girls’ School and Dundonald Girls’ High School, she worked in social security for the Northern Ireland Civil Service for five years before changing careers to support children in the care system in the Armagh area.

Rosie is married to Ronnie and they have four grown-up children – William, Ronnie, Wilson and Laura. Some years ago, the couple were sadly bereaved by the loss of a baby girl and later an adopted son.

A past student of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Rosie was ordained in 2012, serving as deacon in Drumglass Parish, Dungannon, in the Diocese of Armagh.

After ordination as a priest the following year, she moved to Seapatrick Parish, Banbridge, in Down and Dromore Diocese until 2015 when she was appointed curate-in-charge in the Parishes of Kilmore and St Saviour’s, Dobbin, Diocese of Armagh.

Rosie moved to Kilmore and St Saviour’s, Dobbin in 2016 as rector, remaining there until 2020 when she was called to be rector of Kilcronaghan, Ballynascreen and Six Towns.

She was instituted as rector of the Parish of Kilconriola and Ballyclug on Wednesday, April 15 by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison. The preacher was the Rev Peter Jones, rector of Mossley Parish and Connor Director of Vocations.

While she will miss the community in her former parish, the new rector said she was “very excited” to be taking on the new role. “I am humbled and honoured to be called to serve with the people of Ballymena,” she added.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity for good Biblical teaching and engaging in a range of social outreach and pastoral care on a much larger scale.”