Former Hilltown and Clonduff Presbyterian minister in running for Moderator

A FORMER minister of Hilltown and Clonduff Presbyterian Churches is one of two ministers in the running to be the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Rev Richard Murray, currently minister of Drumreagh Presbyterian Church near Ballymoney, had his first charge here in South Down.

Born in 1965, Rev Murray was first ordained in 1997 and served in Hilltown and Clonduff for eight years.

In 2005, he moved to Connor Presbyterian Church, County Antrim before switching to his current charge at Drumreagh in 2016.

The other minister put forward for nomination as Moderator is Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney, who ministers in Dublin.

All 19 presbyteries in Ireland will select one candidate and the minister who receives a majority of votes will be elected.

The name of the Moderator-Designate should be known on the evening of Tuesday, 7 February.