The new man selected to head-up the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has pledged to work to stop the sectarian attacks being suffered by Catholics in the Harryville area of Balymena.The Rev John Finlay, 61, who was a minister a Harryville Presbyterian Church in Co Antrim was selected as the Church's new moderator last night. He will be installed in June for 12 months.
Following his selection Rev Finlay said he was “overwhelmed by the sense of responsibility placed in me, but I accept this honour out of a desire to serve Christ and the Church.''
Speaking about the situation in Harryville he said: “We certainly have our problems but we are not the only local community having to face up to sectarianism and the drug culture and I believe Ballymena is making progress in dealing with these difficulties.”
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph shortly after his election, he praised local Catholic priest Fr Paul Symonds for his work with Loyalist paramilitaries and local people in helping to remove sectarian graffiti in the area.
“Paul has done a fantastic job and he has helped to turn round the situation by working with the loyalists and encouraging people to transform their attitudes. He deserves great credit,” he said.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce