Presbyterian moderator 'stood and wept' when recalled to lead through safeguarding crisis
The outgoing moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland “stood and wept” after being recalled to lead the church through the current safeguarding crisis, he said.
Rev Richard Murray was speaking on day three of the Presbyterian general assembly at Assembly Buildings in Belfast, the annual gathering of Presbyterian leaders from 500 congregations across the island of Ireland.
In November, Moderator Trevor Gribben resigned after the church revealed serious failings in central safeguarding, prompting ongoing investigations by the PSNI and Charity Commission.
Rev Richard Murray, from Ballymoney, who had been moderator the previous year, was recalled to fill in the role.
A friend called at his manse in December to pray with him.
“And I'm not ashamed to say that I stood and wept at the enormity of the enormity of the task,” said Rev Murray.
“And honestly at times I did feel like getting on an airplane and just flying away anywhere just to get away from it.”
He added: “Most of you don't know this, but whenever the statutory inquiries [with PSNI and Charities Commission] were first announced, everything landed on me. Both statutory inquiries said that I was responsible and they would only talk with me.”
At this point he paused, apparently recalling the pressure.
He then paid tribute to the support from the Statutory Inquiries Advisory Task Group which was formed to support him. It is not yet known who will be the ongoing contact point for the two inquiries.
Securing approval from the assembly, he went to fetch Rev Richard Kerr and then returned, leading him in solemn procession to the front, where he secured the installation oath from him as he knelt.
As the new moderator, Rev Kerr, who is from Ballymoney, went on to pay tribute to Rev Murray for returning to lead the church.
“I know it wasn’t a role you sought,” he said, adding: “But when we as a denomination needed you, you answered the call, and returned to lead us through these past tumultuous months.”
He praised Rev Murray's “willingness to go the extra mile” with the PSNI and the Charity Commission, which was “deeply appreciated by this house”.
He noted that Rev Kerr had “opened and moderated more general assemblies than any moderator in living memory – five at the last count” as he had been recalled and led two special assemblies.
The gathering then gave Rev Murray a spontaneous standing ovation.
In one of his first actions, Rev Kerr introduced Rev Karen Campbell as one of his chaplains, to read a lesson.
He then reflected on the safeguarding crisis.
“We have failed in our central safeguarding to protect the people who most need protected. People precious to God have been harmed as a result. Our concern is rightly for those who are victims of our failings. External investigations and independent reviews of our safeguarding and structures are ongoing. This is a matter of great shame to us as a denomination,”
He also condemned the stabbing in north Belfast on Monday night as “horrific, barbaric and evil”, and “those who would manipulate people’s concerns and indiscriminately tar whole communities with one brush, causing fear and consternation among ethnic minorities”.