THE next moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is the Rev Samuel Hutchinson, the church's general secretary. Mr Hutchinson (59), from Belfast, is a full-time church official and joint secretary to the four main churches. He is described as being in the church's "mainstream".
He will succeed the Rev Harry Allen during the church's general assembly in June and will serve for one year.
Eight of the 21 presbyteries which make up the general assembly voted for Mr Hutchinson. The Rev John Dixon, from Antrim, received seven votes. The Rev Joseph Maynard Cathcart, of the Waterside and Fahan presbytery, received two votes, and there was one vote each for the Revs Douglas Armstrong, Robert Johnston and Brian Moore.
Commenting on his nomination last night Mr Hutchinson said: "All the churches have and will continue to play a very positive role in our situation here in Ireland, both at community level and higher. It is vital that we keep explaining and putting into action the Christian attitude to the problems we face, whether it be in relation to political matters, civil unrest, moral concerns or social issues.