Education
Born in Tamworth, Staffordshire on 20 March 1944, Harper was educated at Moorgate County Primary School, Tamworth, Staffordshire, The Grammar School of Elizabeth, Queen of England in Tamworth. He studied geography at Leeds University.
Born in Tamworth, Staffordshire on 20 March 1944, Harper was educated at Moorgate County Primary School, Tamworth, Staffordshire, The Grammar School of Elizabeth, Queen of England in Tamworth. He studied geography at Leeds University.
Following graduation (Bachelor), he worked as University Map Curator and Departmental Librarian in the Department of Geography. In 1974 he returned to England as Principal Assistant Planning Officer with the Staffordshire County Council. In 1996 he was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Services to Conservation in Northern Ireland.
A year later, he became a priest.
His first curacy was in the Ballywillan in Connor diocese. He then served as vicar of Moville, followed by a tenure as rector of Christ Church, Londonderry from 1982 to 1986.
Returning to Connor diocese, he became rector of Malone from 1986 to 2002 and served as Archdeacon of Connor and Precentor of Street Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, from 1996 to 2002. On 17 December 2001, Harper was elected Bishop of Connor by the Episcopal Electoral College.
He was consecrated on 18 March 2002 in Street Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, and enthroned in Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn, on 25 April 2002.
In June of 2012 he announced his intention to retire with effect from the end of September.
He moved to Northern Ireland in July 1966 when he was appointed a member of the Archaeological Survey of Northern Ireland. In 1980 Harper was appointed a member of the Historic Monuments Council for Northern Ireland and was Chairman from 1988 to 1995.