COLUMBUS — The new head of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said his role will be to help heal divisions within the church.

        The Reverend Fahed Abu-Akel, 58, of Atlanta was elected moderator of the 2 1/2-million-member denomination during the church's 214th General Assembly, which wrapped up a week of meetings in Columbus Saturday.

        He said his message to factions within the church will be: “People, heal one another, accept one another.”

        Among the issues that have divided liberals and conservatives in the church is whether to ordain gays. Earlier this year, conservatives killed a proposal that would have permitted non-celibate homosexuals to serve as ministers.

        The issue has been settled “for now,” the Rev. Abu-Akel said, but urged people on both sides to “be patient and hear the pain of one another.”

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