The Presbyterian General Assembly opened in Belfast last night when 1,200 delegates from all over Ireland officially elected Dr Alastair Dunlop as Moderator, in succession to Dr Trevor Morrow.
Dr Dunlop (55) will become Moderator 37 years after his father, Dr James Dunlop, held the post. He was nominated by 19 out of the 21 presbyteries.
Brought up in the Oldpark area of Belfast, Dr Dunlop was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Queen's University, and Belfast Presbyterian College.
He served in Belfast congregations at Malone and Fitzroy before becoming minister of First Portglenone in 1973. In 1983 he became minister at Knock Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
A former convener of the Presbyterian Inter-Church Relations Board, he travelled widely as chairman of Interserve Ireland, an interdenominational body that supports missionaries.
Dr Dunlop is an avid rugby supporter of both Ulster and Ireland and a keen skier. He is married to Anne. They have a family of four, Dorothy, David, Heather and Alastair.
In his final address tonight as Moderator, Dr Morrow is expected to reflect on his year of office, while Dr Dunlop will launch his theme for the year, "People matter to God".
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/a812fdea-a152-4458-82e7-f74d152302fe.png)