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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Church to elect Paisley successor | Church to elect Paisley successor |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Free Presbyterian Church is to meet to elect a successor to Ian Paisley, its moderator for almost 57 years. | The Free Presbyterian Church is to meet to elect a successor to Ian Paisley, its moderator for almost 57 years. |
| It was announced last September that Mr Paisley would not be seeking re-election to the post. | It was announced last September that Mr Paisley would not be seeking re-election to the post. |
| At the time, the DUP leader said he had agreed to stand down because the church was facing a "very real crisis". | At the time, the DUP leader said he had agreed to stand down because the church was facing a "very real crisis". |
| Concerns had been expressed about Mr Paisley's dual role as first minister and moderator after the DUP and Sinn Fein agreed to share power last May. | Concerns had been expressed about Mr Paisley's dual role as first minister and moderator after the DUP and Sinn Fein agreed to share power last May. |
| He said he intended to continue his work as a clergyman. A number of other church offices are also to be filled. | He said he intended to continue his work as a clergyman. A number of other church offices are also to be filled. |
| Mr Paisley has been elected moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church every year, except one, since he founded the church in 1951. | Mr Paisley has been elected moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church every year, except one, since he founded the church in 1951. |
| It is believed he will be succeeded at the meeting in Dungannon by the current deputy moderator Rev Ron Johnston. | It is believed he will be succeeded at the meeting in Dungannon by the current deputy moderator Rev Ron Johnston. |