Evangelical Elected as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

As widely expected, a conservative evangelical has been elected as the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Rev Dr Harry Uprichard, currently minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ahoghill has won the support of 12 out of the Church's 21 Presbyteries throughout Ireland. He will succeed the Rev Dr Ken Newell, whose term of office ends at the General Assembly in June.

Rev Uprichard was the runner-up by only one vote in last year’s election. Retaining his solid backing from the conservative wing of the Church, he has an advantage over the other five ministers. The remaining nine votes were distributed in the following way: three votes for the Rev David Clarke of Terrace Row, Coleraine, two each for the Rev Dr Joe Fell of Ebrington, Londonderry and the Rev Alastair Kennedy of Trinity, Bangor, and one each for the Rev Jack Richardson of Hillhall and the Rev Wilfred Orr of Newtownbreda.

Rev Uprichard reflected upon his election victory, "I'm humbled so much that the Church has resided its trust in me, honoured to be called to so important an office and apprehensive at the duties that lie ahead."

Born in 1942, Rev Uprichard has spent most of his life serving the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1967 and for three years was assistant minister in the Ballymacarrett congregation in Belfast. In 1970 he was called to Trinity, Ahoghill where he has continued his parish ministry until today.

Rev Uprichard described himself as a "conservative evangelical" who wanted "to try to conserve the Biblical tradition in the Church for evangelical purposes." He considered his ministry as one of "teaching the scriptures in order to bring people to faith and to develop their witness," and is noted for his expository preaching and his evangelistic zeal.

Rev Uprichard has made important contributions in theology as well. He is the author of several books on New Testament theology including "A Study Commentary in Ephesians", published last summer.

Out of preaching and theology, Rev Uprichard is abundantly gifted in choral music. Until recently he was conductor of the Ballymena Presbytery Male Voice Choir.

Looking upon the strong Roman Catholic traditions in Ireland, Dr Uprichard presented his ecumenical stance by speaking to the Belfast Telegragh. While he recognised the co-operation between the churches on educational, social and other matters, he admitted that he "would have difficulty" with joint worship with members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Last June Dr Newell stirred up debate when he invited the Roman Catholic Primate Dr Sean Brady as his personal guest to the General Assembly, and similar initiatives from the Moderator-elect in the coming year are believed to be highly unlikely.

The Irish Presbyterian Church, which is a founder member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, has over 560 congregations in 21 presbyteries throughout Ireland with over 300,000 members. It is the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland. The Presbyterian form of Christian faith is best described as 'Reformed' with its strong emphasis on the Sovereignty of God, the Kingship of Christ and the authority of the Bible.