Rev Dr David Allen apologises to PCI congregations across island of Ireland in statement sent to churches on Sunday.
Head of Presbyterian Church in Ireland to step down over safeguarding failures
Members have also been told that last week’s revelations – which resulted in Dr Trevor Gribben’s unprecedented decision to resign as Moderator and retire from his other roles – is “just the start of a very difficult process” that is “going to last for some time”.
A statement issued by Rev Dr David Allen, the Acting Clerk of the General Assembly, was read to congregations during Sunday morning worship.
“I must say now that these failures are inexcusable, and no excuse is being made for them,” he said.
“On behalf of the Presbyterian Church, I am deeply sorry.
“I’m sorry, firstly, because people have been let down by us. Through past actions, or not acting as we should, we have put people at risk, and we know that some people have been harmed.”
Dr Richard Murray, who was installed as Moderator in June 2024, is to resume the role on December 1 and intends to announce that a special meeting of the General Assembly will take place in the same month.
The PCI has confirmed a Section 12 external audit designed by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland is already underway to review practices and processes.
It says it is co-operating fully with statutory agencies.
“We will not sweep this under the carpet, we will open ourselves to external review, and will cooperate fully,” Rev Allen sought to assure members.
The church leader acknowledged that “we have betrayed the trust that people placed in us” as he expressed deep sorrow for the “hurt and grief” the shortcomings have caused.
“On behalf of the Church, I apologise unreservedly to everyone affected by this and to the wider Church. We want to do everything we can to support victims and survivors of our failings. We are truly sorry,” Rev Allen added.
Dr Trevor Gribben, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, (left) and Rev Dr David Bruce (right) during a press conference on Wednesday. Pic by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
“If you are thinking about disclosing a concern about harm or abuse that has happened, whether that was in the church or somewhere else, I want to encourage you as strongly as possibly to do that.
“You can contact us, at the PCI response line.”
The clergyman encouraged anyone who does not want to contact the church to reach out to directly to the PSNI or Victim Support NI.
A QR code was displayed on screens with links to the PCI website which has published advice and guidance.
Members were reminded that Jesus “calls us to minister and reach out to those around us, showing His love, speaking His Word, and doing all that we can to bring honour and glory to Him”.
“We have failed our Saviour and Lord, we have dishonoured Him,” Rev Allen added.
“I am inexpressibly grieved and ashamed by this – to dishonour our Lord in this way is beyond words. I ask you to join me in lamenting this, in seeking His forgiveness, and in asking for grace to do whatever He calls us to in light of our sin.”
The statement acknowledged “distressing” reports of serious safeguarding failings between 2009 and 2022 and set out details of a probe into “the handling of past safeguarding issues at Assembly Buildings level”.
It set out already reported failings to make referrals to statutory authorities when required, inadequate responses to concerns about individuals in congregations and a failure to respond properly when people sought help after suffering harm.
The church has also admitted it failed to keep proper and adequate records and failed to properly monitor offenders returning to worship.
Rev Trevor Gribben at the Assembly Buildings in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on the 5th February 2025
Rev Allen said problems were addressed “as soon as we discovered it, with the statutory authorities and all required safeguards are now in place”.
“These failings do not involve our current safeguarding team, and did not involve everyone who was part of our team in the past,” he added.
“Alongside these failings, there were, and are, staff members doing outstanding work, and we thank them for it.”
Members were urged to pray for the victims and all those involved in safeguarding and ministry.
Rev Allen asked people to join him in pleading for mercy and forgiveness and ask that God would “purge us of our wrong-doing”.