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01 Dec 2025
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01 Dec 2025
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The new leader of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has announced a special gathering to come together following significant safeguarding failings.
On his first day as moderator Dr Richard Murray wrote to ministers announcing the special General Assembly in the wake of the discovery of significant failings in the central administration of the church’s safeguarding processes.
Former moderator Rev Trevor Gribben stood down after a review found “serious and significant failings” in central safeguarding functions from the period 2009 to 2022.
It emerged that failures included situations where the church did not respond when people who had suffered harm sought help and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were “inadequately monitored”.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a criminal investigation into the matter.
The PCI welcomed the police probe and said it would be co-operating fully.
On Monday Dr Murray said the special General Assembly will take place on December 18.
He described the purpose as to “come together as a family before God to grieve and lament for our failings”.
“We will meet in Assembly Buildings, in Belfast to call upon God as a people and to seek His face,” he said.
“Please be assured that the purpose of this General Assembly is that we come together as a family before God to grieve and lament for our failings.
“At the same time, we also want to be particularly mindful of those who have been harmed as a result of our central failings.”
He added in his letter: “As I conclude, please make this General Assembly a priority and come to it prayerfully so that we may seek the face of God together.
“Please pray for those who have been hurt by the failings that we have uncovered, and pray that they will have the courage to seek the help and support they need.
“Our prayer is also that God would have mercy upon us in the midst of this storm that has not only shocked us, but shaken and deeply humbled us.”
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