THE Presbyterian Church has formally installed Reverend Frank Sellar as its new moderator at this year's General Assembly.
Reverend Sellar, the Minister of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in east Belfast since 2007, was appointed in February.
He has been in active ministry for almost 30 years.
Reverend Sellar opened the General Assembly, which is due to run until Friday, in Belfast last night in front of around 800 guests.
The new moderator told the assembled crowd that the church must become "a community of global concern...where together we must challenge injustice, poverty and oppression in Jesus’ name."
Dr. Sellar said: "Every time any species of plant or animal is obliterated, or the sea and dry land subjected to rising temperatures due to selfish human activity… the poorest peoples of this world suffer most.
"This year, may we as the people of God repent of our lack of care for these critical issues highlighted here in Jonah, and with His strength as a branch of Christ’s church in this island at this time, be a community of Global concern."
