Safeguarding update due at second Special General Assembly of crisis-hit Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The session at the Assembly Buildings in Belfast follows on from December’s gathering when members were told the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) was “deeply ashamed and sorry” over significant failings in safeguarding.

These included situations where the church failed to make referrals to statutory authorities; where it did not respond adequately to concerns expressed about individuals in congregations and where the PCI failed to respond to people who, having suffered harm, had sought its help.

Attendees will also receive an update on progress regarding the General Council task groups that were set up as a result of decisions taken at December’s Special Assembly. It was called by Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray, who returned as Moderator following the resignation of previous incumbent Dr Trevor Gribben after an internal investigation found “serious and significant” failings around safeguarding.

The PSNI has also launched a formal investigation in relation to the crisis which has rocked the church.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, the Convener of PCI’s General Council, Very Rev Dr David Bruce, said: “As we move forward from November’s announcement of our central safeguarding failures, and decisions taken at our December Special General Assembly, it is important that we update the church on what has been done in the intervening weeks, and this will be part of my report.

"I will also update members of Assembly with regards to progress on specific areas of work that the General Council has been asked to undertake, the majority of which will be reported to June’s General Assembly.”

Dr Bruce continued: “When the Moderator, Dr Murray, called this Special Assembly he said that it would consider the ceremonial and reporting aspects of our General Assembly in June and the ‘urgent matter of approving the appointment process of a new Clerk of the General Assembly’, and these will be discussed.

“While there won’t be, at this stage, items of business regarding safeguarding, or other reports from the various task groups established by December’s Special Assembly, the business before us today is more than simple ‘housekeeping’. The role of Clerk of the General Assembly, for example, is an historic position within our denomination, to which we are proposing, significant changes.”

Dr Bruce went on to say: “In all that we do, we remain deeply mindful of those who have been hurt or harmed as a result of our failings. As I said at December’s Special Assembly, our starting point was and remains a profound concern for those who have been harmed, or impacted by our institutional failings, which I described as ‘shameful’.

"It is also important that we also recognise during our discussions the ongoing criminal investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”

The Special General Assembly will be open to the public to attend and livestreamed from 11am.