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| Church elects Paisley successor | |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| The Free Presbyterian Church has met in Dungannon to elect a successor to Ian Paisley, its moderator for almost 57 years. | |
| The new moderator is Rev Ron Johnston, who had been deputy moderator. | |
| 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 as the church was facing a "very real crisis". He said he would continue his work as a clergyman. | |
| 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. |
| When asked if it had been painful to relinquish his post as moderator, Mr Paisley replied: "Do I look like I'm in pain." | |
| A number of other church offices were also being filled on Friday night. | |
| 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. |