Incoming Presbyterian moderator the Rev Roy Patton has pledged to be a good neighbourly church leader reaching out in reconciliation, love and understanding in a way that reflects his Christian calling.
The News Letter reports – The Co Monaghan-born minister of Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church on the main Belfast to Bangor Road yesterday outlined his pastoral background and ambitions for his year as moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland that begins on May 28 when he takes over from the Rev Dr Ivan Patterson.
Mr Patton, 58, was nominated by eight of the 19 presbyteries in a presbytery vote that had four other contenders for the post.
They were the Rev John Dickinson, minister of Carnmoney Church, who received four nominations; the Rev Joseph Andrews, of Ballee congregation, Ballymena (three nominations); the Rev Rob Craig, of Kilfennan, Londonderry, and the Rev Dr Donald Watts, clerk of the General Assembly, who received two nominations each.
Mr Patton, in Ballygilbert for the past 17 years pastoring to 400 families, said he was humbled by his nomination.
“I am very aware of my own shortcomings and the responsibility of the office. However, I know God will give me the strength to fulfil the task to which he has called me and I have the confidence of the support of my wife and the prayers of my congregation and wider church family and friends,” he said.
“I am basically a parish minister. This has been my role for the past 30 years and I hope my experience at churches in north Belfast, Newry and in Ballygilbert will have given me the grounding for the challenging year that lies ahead of me.”
He said he was prepared to reach out across the religious and political divide in Northern Ireland and would be willing to talk to both Sinn Fein and the GAA if called upon.
Mr Patton said: “Having ministered in Newry’s Downshire Road congregation for more than 11 years during the Troubles, I fully understand the pain and injury that was inflicted on many people in that area by the IRA terrorist campaign.
“It was a time of deep pain for our community and I remember being in Daisy Hill Hospital after a bomb outrage in Warrenpoint and talking to a surgeon, who said: ‘I hope we never see this again’.
“Thankfully, we have moved on and I would commend those who have committed to a peaceful future in Northern Ireland. We must always strive to advance good relations, good neighbourliness and reconciliation.”
Mr Patton recognised this is a year of commemorations – the Titanic, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the signing of the Ulster Covenant, which was signed by tens of thousands of Presbyterians in 1912.
Mr Patton said the Presbyterian Church in Ireland was experiencing great growth, particularly in the Republic.
“New churches are being built and, while there has been a decline in worshippers at some Belfast inner city congregations, challenging work is ongoing in these areas, as it is in the wider mission of the church.”
Mr Patton, who was accompanied by his wife Daphne at yesterday’s press gathering, admits to being an Ulster rugby supporter and, like a former Presbyterian moderator the Rev Dr David Clarke, an avid fan of Manchester City football club.
“City are having a much better time these days,” he quipped.