Northern Ireland

Rev Noble McNeely to be new Presbyterian moderator

Rev Noble McNeely has been elected as the next Presbyterian moderator
Rev Noble McNeely has been elected as the next Presbyterian moderator Rev Noble McNeely has been elected as the next Presbyterian moderator

REV Noble McNeely is to be the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's next moderator.

The 63-year-old, of First Holywood Presbyterian Church in Co Down, was nominated by 10 of the church's 19 presbyteries last night.

Mr McNeely will replace Dr Frank Sellar as moderator. He will be officially installed at the church's general assembly on June 5.

From Crossgar in Co Down, Mr McNeely taught as a craft and design teacher for two years before starting his studies at Union Theological College in 1978.

He has been an assistant minister in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church in Belfast and minister of First Ballymoney in Co Antrim.

The father-of-three said he was looking forward to visiting congregations across Ireland.

"2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. During the year I would hope I can emphasise and preach on some of the great principles and doctrines of the Reformation, such as, 'justification by faith alone', " he said.