Ian Paisley to deliver final sermon

Published Friday, 16 December 2011
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Former moderator and founder of the Free Presbyterian Church Ian Paisley has spoken to UTV ahead of his final sermon as a senior minister, which he will deliver this weekend.

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A little bit of history will be made in Belfast on Sunday evening when the 85-year-old speaks from the pulpit of Martyrs Memorial on the Ravenhill Road for the last time.

Over the past few years, the former First Minister and DUP leader has retired from politics - now his ministry spanning over 60 years is also winding down.

He told UTV: "I would say the average of a man that has good health should do about 25-30 years, but I have doubled that so I have done very well!"

The controversial preacher added he has never set out to offend Catholics.

He continued: "I set out as clearly as I could what was my own personal faith and also my own personal attitude to doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and doctrines also held within the protestant church. I was just as hard on them."

Asked whether he feels his mantle as a politician or a churchman has been the most important, Dr Paisley said he wishes to be remembered as a "gospel man".

He said: "Oh by long and far the gospel man. Really the fact that I was in politics came as a result of the faith that I preached."

Ian Paisley, now Lord Bannside, is currently working on his autobiography.

© UTV News
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22 Comments
maggie in north west wrote (155 days ago):
Paisley the prophet who had no insight to were the future lay for Ulster. He should have known that to carry on saying NO the British would soon get fed up with no progress while they poured money into NI..He destroyed the faith of many people . if heaven is where he goes then there will be rumpus in heaven when he meets Pope John Paul. God is our only judge not Mr Paisley.
Jackie in Belfast wrote (156 days ago):
Yvonne, Raymond B and like minded posters you have Ian Paisley - DUP/SF of to a T, well said.
frank in belfast wrote (156 days ago):
its funny to hear the unionists rubbish paisley,,,,they still dont want a catholic about the place......listen folks the days of a protestant supremacy are over and never to return you should be thanking the big bigot for holding on to it for so long
Vee in Belfast wrote (156 days ago):
And there would be a lot of people alive and free from jail today if it weren't for his preaching of hatred.
overseas loyalist in South Africa wrote (157 days ago):
Paisley the real LUNDY of Northern Ireland. A coward and traitor of Ulster Loyalism. Your treachery will NEVER be forgotten
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