Jim Wallace, who is a former Deputy First Minister, said he was “humbled and honoured” to have become the Kirk’s ambassador at home and abroad.
Rt Hon Lord Wallace of Tankerness QC will speak out on issues important to the Church and its mission to follow and proclaim the example of Jesus Christ.
The ceremony was held at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh and the 66-year-old was accompanied by his wife Rosie, daughter Helen and his brother Neil, who were accompanied by their spouses.
Prince William, who was representing his grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, as Lord High Commissioner, was also present, along with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Lord Wallace’s other daughter, Clare, watched online along with hundreds of other people.
Thanking the Kirk for his appointment, he said: “I stand before you, today, feeling both humbled and honoured and, I should add, with feelings of excitement and trepidation.
“Upon my nomination as Moderator-Designate, I received many messages of goodwill and many assurances of prayerful support.
“One of my predecessors described her experience as Moderator like ‘being carried along on a carpet of prayer’.
“Today, I ask for your prayers that during this Assembly and in the coming year, I may fulfil these responsibilities with love, grace and wisdom.
“And that if, or more likely when, I get it wrong, your prayers will be ones of forgiveness.”
Lord Wallace is also a former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Full story in this week’s paper.
- Photo courtesy of the Church of Scotland
