Presbyterian Church in Ireland safeguarding scandal: Special General Assembly to discuss radical reforms of leadership and safeguarding
Presbyterians from across the island of Ireland will gather tomorrow in Belfast to debate radical reforms of leadership and safeguarding in the church – all in public.
Last month, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), Rev Trevor Gribben, stood down after an internal review found “serious and significant” failures in central safeguarding functions in the church from 2009-2022.
Since then, the PSNI has launched a formal investigation, and the Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry.
Ministers and one elder from all 540 congregations across the island have been invited to a special general assembly in Belfast to discuss the crisis.
As is normal, proceedings will be held in public and streamed live online.
Delegates are asked to submit questions and amendments to proposals in advance, but may also ask them without notice. They are asked not to mention specific individuals or cases.
The Special Assembly Report was published yesterday, setting out the agenda.
It said that after PCI disclosed the issues north and south last month, the Stormont justice minister was briefed, and a multi-agency meeting was called at ‘Gold Level’ – the most senior level of decision-makers, responding to a risk to public safety.
The church report sets out a range of proposals members will vote on:
l Splitting the clerk of the assembly and general secretary into two roles – previously jointly held by Rev Trevor Gribben;
l Changing reporting lines to remove safeguarding from the two roles;
l Reviewing the appointment method for both – which could introduce a formal recruitment process;
l Creating a Safeguarding Department with additional staff and resources – reporting to the current financial secretary;
l Creating an oversight Safeguarding Panel, including three independent safeguarding practitioners – reporting to the General Council;
l Reviewing all aspects of Compromise Agreements (also known as legal settlements) in employment matters, including the use of Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
In a statement, Acting Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Dr David Allen, highlighted key points from the 23-page report. “As we come together as a church family today, we find ourselves in a place of shame and humility as a result of our central safeguarding failings,” he said.
He emphasised proposals to “elevate significantly” safeguarding within PCI, establish the new Safeguarding Department, and ensure “effective resourcing of safeguarding centrally.”
He also noted the proposal for, at an appropriate time, “a full, independent external review of safeguarding,” in addition to the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland’s ‘section 12’ audit process, currently being conducted by “an independent external assessor”.
The general assembly will also be asked to establish a task group to look at “governance, culture and integrity.”
He added: “The role of clerk of the general assembly and general secretary, and the possible separation of these roles, will be considered by members of assembly, as will the role of the incoming Moderator for 2026-2027 and the format of next year’s General Assembly.”
An update on recent engagement with the Charity Commission about the crisis will also form part of the day’s proceedings.