Presbyterian Church in Ireland Apologizes for Child Protection Failures

The acting leadership of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has issued a formal apology for significant failings in child protection practices, describing them as “inexcusable.” The church’s leaders are urging survivors of abuse to come forward, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents to either the church or appropriate authorities. This statement follows the announcement by Rev Dr Trevor Gribben, the church’s moderator, that he would resign at the end of the month due to the identified shortcomings.

During services held on Sunday, Rev Dr David Allen, the acting clerk, expressed deep remorse for the pain caused by these failures. “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 stated. He added that the church is committed to supporting victims and survivors while acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

Commitment to Reform and External Review

Rev Allen conveyed the church’s intention to be transparent about its shortcomings, stating, “We will not sweep this under the carpet.” An external audit is currently in progress, designed by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, aimed at reviewing the church’s safeguarding practices. This audit, known as Section 12, will be submitted to the safeguarding board upon completion.

Rev Bruce, another church leader, highlighted ongoing discussions with statutory agencies, emphasizing the church’s desire to rectify its past failures. “We want to do things right and we want their help in that,” he remarked, reaffirming the church’s commitment to cooperate fully with external reviews.

The internal report, released last week, revealed multiple safeguarding failures between 2009 and 2021, with some incidents extending into 2022. This report was initiated following an intervention by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which prompted the church to reassess its safeguarding policies. It revealed that the church had neglected to make necessary referrals to statutory authorities in abuse cases and failed to adequately respond to concerns raised by congregants.

Calls for Accountability

On Friday, it was reported that attempts made in 2023 to alert church authorities about its safeguarding issues were disregarded. Ian Elliott, a key figure in reforming child protection within the Catholic Church, indicated he had previously offered advice to the Presbyterian Church but was met with resistance. He shared that he had joined an expert safeguarding panel for the church in 2023, hoping to address his concerns. However, after months of unanswered questions, he chose to resign from the panel.

During the Sunday services, it was also announced that Rev Dr Richard Murray, a former moderator, will assume the role of moderator again on December 1, 2025. He previously held the position until June when Rev Gribben took over. Rev Murray is expected to announce a special meeting of the church’s general assembly next month to address these pressing issues.

The Presbyterian Church’s leadership faces a critical period of reflection and reform as they strive to restore trust within their communities. The church’s commitment to confronting these challenges head-on reflects a broader recognition of the need for accountability and change in safeguarding practices across faith organizations.