Moderator tells Special General Assembly the Presbyterian Church is ‘deeply ashamed and sorry’ for safeguarding failings

In his opening address to the session in Belfast today (December 18) in front of ministers and elders from across the island, Moderator Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray apologised to those who have been hurt or harmed.

The Moderator is the most senior office-bearer of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which has around 180,000 members. The previous incumbent, Dr Trevor Gribben, announced last month he was stepping down following “serious and significant failings” in safeguarding.

Dr Murray resumed the role on December 1 and one of his first acts was to call the Special General Assembly. His address was part of a service of worship that included hymns, scripture readings, and prayers that were led by former Moderators.

Specific proposals to address the safeguarding failures and related matters will come before members of Assembly on Thursday afternoon.

The Moderator said, “For those of us in the church this has been one of the hardest things to bear at this time - that the name of the Lord has been brought into disrepute, people have been harmed and the gospel, God’s good news, brought into disrepute.

“Hence, I believe it’s more than appropriate – it’s necessary – that we gather together in this Special General Assembly to grieve and lament for those who have been hurt and harmed (and for their families who have to pick up the pieces), acknowledging that there will be things these good people have to live with for the rest of their lives. And to them we say ‘Sorry that you have been hurt or harmed by our failings’.”

Dressed in a three-piece suit and tie, forgoing the formal dark robes of a Presbyterian Moderator so often seen at the opening of the General Assembly, Dr Murray went on to say none of those gathered could have expected to hear the news headlines : ‘A criminal investigation has been launched into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland after concerns were raised about safeguarding issues.’

“As a Presbyterian family we have been horrified to learn that people in our care have been hurt and harmed and as yet we do not know the extent of our failings. And yes, the vast majority of our ministers, elders, designated persons, and office staff are men and women of integrity and honour, but some have let us all down and for that we are deeply ashamed and sorry,” he said.

Dr Murray, who is the minster of Drumreagh Presbyterian Church near Ballymoney, also shared the reaction of people he knew to the news, including a younger minister who called to his manse “in despair wondering will he go on, wondering should he give up”.

" And maybe some of you listening to me have felt the same way? That the foundations are being destroyed, that if we can’t protect children and the vulnerable, what does that say about us? Especially when children were so often found around our Lord Jesus Christ?”

Concluding his remarks, the Moderator added: “May God have mercy upon us. May God comfort those hurt and harmed. May God deliver us from our enemies. May God lead us through this dark tunnel and grant us better days ahead. Because all things (even bad things) work together for good for those who love God, for those called according to His purpose.”

Following the service of worship, in the afternoon the General Assembly will discuss proposals to elevate significantly the position of safeguarding within PCI and establish a new Safeguarding Department, along with the effective resourcing of safeguarding centrally, and at an appropriate time, a full, independent external review of safeguarding in the church.

The General Assembly will also be asked to establish a task group that will look at governance, culture and integrity. If agreed, this will include the role of Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the possible separation of these roles.

A report on this will be brought to a second Special General Assembly in February of next year. An update on recent engagement with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland will also form part of the business proceedings. Other measures will also be discussed.