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Two forthcoming Presbyterian Church Leaders on either side of the world will be awarded honorary doctorates this Friday, 21 May 1999 at 7.00pm, by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland at the closing of the academic year at Union Theological College, 108 Botanic Avenue, Belfast.
One is being awarded to the Moderator Designate of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr John Lockington, who takes up office on June 7, while the other recipient is the President - Elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, Belfast born, Rev Professor James Haire.
For Professor Haire it is very much a case of history repeating itself. His father and grandfather were both themselves Professor James Haires, both taught at Union College or as it was then The Presbyterian College, (James' father was also Principal), and both were Moderators of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1939 and 1970 respectively.
Professor Haire is Head of the School of Theology at Griffith University in Brisbane and his appointment to the Presidency of the Uniting Church, the equivalent of the Moderatorship, is a nine year term of office, three years as National President-Elect, the next three years as National President and a final three as National Ex-President. Professor Haire's term as National President begins in July 2000.
The Uniting Church in Australia is a result of the union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational denominations into a church with a membership of 1.3 million members and 2,600 ministers in over 50 presbyteries. Continuing the theme of following in others footsteps the first President of the Uniting Church was also an Irish Presbyterian, Rev Davis McCaughey. It is the largest non-government employer in Australia with hundreds of schools, university colleges and hospitals.
James Haire was born in Belfast in 1946 and educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Oxford, and studied Missiology in Holland before training for the Presbyterian ministry in Belfast. He and his wife Mary, also a minister, served with the Overseas Board of the Presbyterian Church on the Indonesian island of Halmahera from 1972 until 1984 where James lectured in New Testament Studies. In 1985 he joined the Uniting Church In Australia as minister of Darwin City Parish before moving to Brisbane the following year to continue his academic career.
Professor and Mrs Haire have two daughters Julia and Miriam and Dr Margaret Haire, Professor Haire's mother, still lives in Belfast.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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