Presbyterian Church in Ireland safeguarding scandal: Sexual abuse survivor calls on special assembly to put the needs of victims first
A survivor of church sexual abuse has called on the Presbyterian Church to ensure that the welfare of victims is central to discussion at their special assembly on 18 December.
On Monday the new leader of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), Dr Richard Murray, announced a special gathering to come together following significant child safeguarding failings.
Former moderator Rev Trevor Gribben stood down last month after a review found “serious and significant failings” from 2009 to 2022.
Rev Murray described the purpose of the special assembly, at PCI's Belfast headquarters, to “come together as a family before God to grieve and lament for our failings”.
The PSNI has launched a criminal investigation into the matter. Nikella Holmes of the NI Survivor Council called on the assembly to put victims at the centre of their deliberations.
She is a survivor of sexual abuse by a youth leader in an Evangelical church, outside PCI, and is campaigning for a public inquiry into sexual abuse by religious leaders in churches, schools and other locations.
"We would hope that the general assembly focuses on how the church can support victims and survivors moving forward," she told the News Letter.
"This is an opportunity for the PCI to create a moment and culture shift that puts victims and survivors at the forefront and to send a message that they will believe and support them".
The NI Survivor Council is calling on PCI to place victims to provide support for victims; facilitate them telling their stories to an independent body; provide therapeutic resources for their recovery and to create an independent investigation that allows lessons to be learned from the victims who have been harmed.
Meanwhile PCI has confirmed that “all sessions" of the assembly will be livestreamed and open to the public and media.
It is understood that the specially compiled report and resolutions which will be discussed will be agreed by the PCI General Council, which will meet shortly to finalise details.
At present an outline agenda says that "worship and lament" led by the Moderator will be at 11am, followed by lunch at 12:30pm and with the main business session from 1:30pm until close focussing on the report from the General Council and resolutions.
All ministers and one elder from every PCI congregation will be invited, as well as a small number of other representatives.
Asked if the church will define parameters on what can and cannot be discussed at the assembly, a PCI spokesman replied: "We will be taking advice internally and externally on this matter. A statement will be made either at the beginning of the proceedings, or in advance of the General Assembly. It is our intention to be as open and transparent as possible."
It is understood there are some concerns about what can be discussed in light of the ongoing PSNI investigation into the issues.
The News Letter asked Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who has overall responsibility for safeguarding, whether he would be supporting Ms Holmes' campaign for a general public inquiry into sexual abuse by religious leaders.
The minister replied: “My current focus is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. There are key questions to be answered and if a public inquiry is the only way to secure those answers, I will consider it.”