The 21 presbyteries which make up the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will meet tomorrow to vote for a new Moderator.
The Rev Alastair Dunlop, of the Knock congregation in Belfast, is thought to be the frontrunner. He won the votes of eight presbyteries last year, leaving him runner-up to Dr Trevor Morrow, whose year of office ends in June. Dr Morrow, minister of Lucan Presbyterian Church in Dublin, was elected with 10 votes.
The presbyteries are the governing bodies responsible for approximately 25 Presbyterian congregations around Ireland. The membership is made up of all ministers and a representative elder from every congregation in its area.
They vote to decide who their presbytery will nominate as the new Moderator, or Moderator-designate, as he is officially known. Each presbytery has just one vote.
A result is expected by 9.30 p.m. tomorrow.
