Patton calls on public to back Assembly

Presbyterian Moderator designate the Rev Dr Donald Patton has described the powersharing Executive in Northern Ireland as "miraculous". He urged the public to back the new dispensation.

The minister of Old Church, Randalstown, Co Antrim, was elected to the post on Tuesday by 11 of the 21 presbyteries who met throughout Ireland for the annual selection.

When asked his thoughts on the political situation in the North at a press conference yesterday, he said: "It's quite miraculous to see what is happening. Ten years ago I wouldn't have predicted it at all."

Dr Patton's year in office will begin on June 3rd, when he takes over from current Presbyterian Moderator Rev Dr John Finlay at the Presbyterian General Assembly.

He describes himself as "a warm-hearted, evangelical slightly right-of-centre but not too far along right".

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met a delegation from the Presbyterian Church yesterday as part of the continuing process of dialogue between the Government and the churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations.

The Taoiseach's office said in a statement afterwards: "The meeting was to facilitate an exchange of perspectives on topics of mutual interest.

"Discussions included issues arising in education, civil partnership legislation, the Bill of Rights and the EU reform treaty."

A Presbyterian Church spokesman described the discussions as "very frank, helpful and informative".

Also yesterday, it was announced that written submissions on freedom of expression, including blasphemy, have been invited from the public and interested parties and bodies by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution by Friday, February 22nd.

It follows agreement by the committee, under the chairmanship of Seán Ardagh TD, to consider the issue of freedom of expression, as defined in Article 40.6 of the Constitution, and the related issue of blasphemy.

Last night Mr Ardagh said that legislation may soon be presented to the Dáil concerning blasphemy and, in the context of an increasingly multicultural, multi-religious Ireland, the public and interested bodies may wish to express views on the subject.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times