The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has turn out to be the topic of an inquiry by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland following a damning internal report into safeguarding and news of a criminal investigation.
Last month the Rev Trevor Gribben stood down as moderator of the PCI. At the time he said, “Following an internal investigation and report, it has turn out to be clear that there have been serious and significant failings within the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
“As a results of this, people have been placed in danger. We are aware of a variety of individuals who have been harmed, and we consider there might be others as yet unknown to us. We apologise unreservedly for this.”
The safeguarding failings took place from 2009 to 2022. For a few of that point Rev Gribben was the PCI’s general secretary.
According to the BBC, the Church’s acting clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, said the PCI could be cooperating fully with the Commission so as to improve its practices.
“As a denomination, we made an announcement on 12 November detailing significant failings in our central safeguarding processes and we have now committed ourselves to doing whatever is required to regain the trust that we have now lost. We consider this inquiry shall be one further step on this process.”
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck has said that the police are “aware” of the Charity Commission’s intentions and that a criminal investigation into safeguarding concerns “stays energetic”, adding, “We are working closely with the Charity Commission and with other statutory and community safeguarding partners.”
On Thursday the PCI shall be live-streaming a special meeting on the difficulty at its General Assembly. The meeting will discuss a 23-page report that outlines a number of the key issues.
The report calls for the creation of a latest safeguarding department, a review of non-disclosure agreements, the creation of a task force into governance, culture and integrity, and an external review of safeguarding practices.
“This is a shameful position for a part of the Church of Jesus Christ to be in,” the report laments.
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