Presbyterian Church Apologizes for Child Protection Failures

The acting leadership of the **Presbyterian Church in Ireland** has issued a public apology for severe shortcomings in its child protection measures. The church’s leaders described these failings as “inexcusable” and urged survivors of abuse to come forward, emphasizing that they can contact the police or Victim Support if they prefer not to approach the church directly. This follows the announcement by the church’s moderator, **Rev Dr Trevor Gribben**, who will resign at the end of this month due to the church’s inadequate child safeguarding practices.

In a statement delivered at all Presbyterian services on November 5, **Rev Dr David Allen**, the acting clerk, expressed deep remorse: “We have betrayed the trust that people placed in us and I am deeply sorry for the hurt and grief that this has caused.” He apologized unreservedly to those affected and to the wider community, stressing the church’s commitment to support victims and to address its failings. Allen stated, “We are truly sorry” and pledged to cooperate fully with external reviews, indicating that the church would not “sweep this under the carpet.”

Internal Reports Highlight Failures

An **external audit** is already underway, organized by the **Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland**. This audit, known as Section 12, will assess the church’s practices and processes, ultimately reporting back to the safeguarding board. Rev Bruce, a church representative, confirmed ongoing discussions with statutory agencies to ensure that the church is taking the necessary steps to improve its safeguarding protocols.

The church’s internal safeguarding team published a report on November 1 that identified multiple failures in its child protection services between 2009 and 2021, including cases as recent as 2022. These failures include a lack of appropriate referrals to statutory authorities in abuse cases and inadequate responses to concerns raised about individuals within congregations. The report also indicated the church’s failure to maintain proper records and monitor offenders who had been referred to them by statutory bodies.

In a troubling revelation, it emerged that attempts in 2023 to alert church authorities about deficiencies in its safeguarding policies were disregarded. **Ian Elliott**, who has played a pivotal role in reforming child protection structures in the Catholic Church, indicated that he had previously provided advice to the Presbyterian Church, which was declined. Elliott was invited to be part of an expert safeguarding panel for the church in 2023 but ultimately resigned after his concerns went unanswered.

Leadership Changes and Future Directions

On Sunday, it was announced during church services across Ireland that former moderator **Rev Dr Richard Murray** will assume the moderator position on **December 1, 2025**. Murray previously held this role until June 2023, when Rev Gribben took over. On the same day, Murray is expected to announce that a special meeting of the church’s general assembly will convene next month.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s leadership is facing a critical moment in its history as it grapples with the implications of these findings. The church is under pressure to implement reforms that ensure the safety and trust of its congregation, particularly focusing on support for survivors of abuse. As the church navigates this challenging period, its commitment to transparency and cooperation with external authorities will be essential in restoring faith within its community.