PRESBYTERIAN moderators traditionally serve a one-year term, but the unique circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic mean that the incumbent, Dr David Bruce, will serve in the role for a further 12 months.
The election for moderator generally takes place at this time of the year, with the successful candidate then beginning their tenure in June at the denomination's annual General Assembly meeting.
However, when prospective candidates were approached at the end of last year, only one - Dr Bruce - agreed that his name should go forward for consideration.
"Taking an overview of the current situation, with our presbyteries not being able to meet physically, due to current restrictions in both jurisdictions, and the fact that only one name was under consideration, the General Council's standing committee, acting with delegated authority, unanimously agreed that Dr Bruce's name be forwarded to the General Assembly for appointment as Moderator for the 2021-2022 church year," explained Rev Trevor Gribben, clerk of the General Assembly and the Church's general secretary.
It is highly unusual for a moderator to serve back-to-back terms. The last of only six occasions it has happened was in 1894.
Dr Bruce said he was deeply honoured to carry on as moderator for a further 12 months.
"When I was first nominated a year ago, no-one could have possibly anticipated the challenges that we would face the following month, let alone a year on," he said.
"The whole of our society - indeed the entire world - has had to face a pandemic which has devastated economies, destabilised governments and led to the deaths of millions of people.
"Perhaps the world will never know the full cost of the spread of Covid-19 and its variants."
