The Moderator-designate of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is Dr Harry Uprichard (63). He received the votes of 12 of the 21 presbyteries in Ireland last night. Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent, reports.
He will succeed Dr Ken Newell as Moderator in June.
Dr Uprichard has been minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ahoghill, Co Antrim, for the last 34 years.
He was born in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on New Year's Day 1942 and educated at Carrick Public Elementary School, Portadown College, and Queen's University, Belfast.
He was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1967 and for three years was assistant minister in the Ballymacarret congregation in Belfast.
In 1970 he was called to Trinity, Ahoghill, where he has continued his ministry until today.
He has has been a member of the Inter-Church Relations Board and the Christian Training Committee.
Dr Uprichard is the author of several books including A Son is Given Christ in Isaiah, A Son is Promised Christ in the Psalms and A Son is Revealed Christ in Mark.
His most recent book, A Study Commentary on Ephesians was published last summer. Outside of theology he has a love of choral music and describes himself as an armchair sports enthusiast with a particular interest in football and rugby. He is married to Maisie. They have no children
Members of each presbytery vote on names proposed by colleagues, to decide who the presbytery will nominate as Moderator-designate.