The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has chosen a new Moderator, with last night's election of the Rev Alastair Dunlop. Twenty-one presbyteries, which comprise the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, met at locations around Ireland to cast their votes.
Mr Dunlop (55), from Belfast, who received 19 votes, will succeed Dr Trevor Morrow in June. The Rev Russell Birney, minister of the High Kirk Church in Ballymena, Co Antrim, was runner-up with two. Mr Dunlop has been the minister of the Knock Presbyterian Church in east Belfast since 1983. His congregation recently completed a major refurbishment programme resulting in the reopening of a multi-purpose centre at a cost of £200,000.
He was educated at Queen's University and began his church career in south Belfast in 1968, as an assistant in Malone Presbyterian Church before moving to the nearby Fitzroy church. He was ordained in 1971 and became minister of the First Portglenone Presbyterian Church, where he remained for 10 years.
Mr Dunlop is a former convenor of the Presbyterian Church's inter-church relations board and has travelled widely in his role as chairman of Interserve Ireland, an interdenominational body supporting Christian missionaries abroad.
He describes himself as an avid rugby supporter and a keen skier. He is married to Anne and they have four children.