Voting For Moderator Designate Is Tied

For the first time in ten years the election for the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church has resulted in a tied vote between Rev Ken Newell and Rev Ivan McKay.

Mr McKay, minister of Dundonald and Mr Newell of the Fitzroy congregation in Belfast each received 7 nominations from the 21 presbyteries who met today throughout Ireland to vote for a successor to present Moderator Dr Russell Birney.

Under the rules of the Presbyterian Church presbyteries will vote on just the two names at their next meetings on Tuesday 4 March to see who will take over as Moderator from Dr Birney who continues in office until 2 June, 2003

Other ministers to receive nominations were Rev Jack Richardson with three votes and single votes for Rev Harold McConnell, Rev Alistair Kennedy, Dr Joe Fell and Rev Wilfred Orr.

The voting for each candidate was as follows:

Rev Ivan Mckay (Dundonald) 7 Votes

Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Down, Iveagh, Newry, Tyrone

Rev Ken Newell (Fitzroy) 7 Votes

Ards, North Belfast, South Belfast, Carrickfergus, Donegal, Dublin/Munster, Templepatrick.

Rev Jack Richardson (Hillhall) 3 Votes

Dromore, Omagh, Route.

Rev Harold McConnell (First Ballyeaston) 1 Vote

Foyle.

Rev Alistair Kennedy (Trinity, Bangor) 1 Vote

Monaghan.

Dr Joe Fell (Ebrington) 1 Vote

Derry/Strabane.

Rev Wilfred Orr (St John's, Newtonbreda) 1 Vote

East Belfast

Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org

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