Presbyterian Church raised concerns with PSNI after child sex offence conviction

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The PSNI has been in discussions with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) after the latter raised concerns following the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sexual offences, it is understood.

The PCI has been called upon to provide more clarity around “serious failings” in safeguarding in the Church.

Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, a member of the Church, said he was shocked at the announcement that moderator Rev Trevor Gribben was to stand down, after stating that people had been harmed and others placed at risk because of the failings.

Mr Gribben told a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday that there had been “serious and significant failings” in the central safeguarding functions of the Church from the period 2009 to 2022.

It emerged that failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help, and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were “inadequately monitored”.

The PSNI said it has been actively engaging with the Church to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures.

Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of the public protection branch, said: “The PSNI remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place to protect vulnerable individuals.”

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Communities Minister said he hoped more information could be provided.

Mr Lyons told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: “I speak as a member of the Church, they have made this announcement yesterday and I think a lot of people will be concerned at what has been said and also concerned at what hasn’t been said.

I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened?

“I don’t think we have been furnished with all the information, obviously we haven’t seen this review and there does seem to be a lack of clarity as to what is happening, so I hope there is more information that can be provided.

“I hope more people come forward if there have been issues.

“For those that have been affected, that is where our thoughts should be, and that is where the Church’s efforts should be, making sure that they have that support and support for everybody affected.”

Asked if he had been left shocked by the announcement, the minister said he was.

He said: “It was a fairly significant announcement for the moderator of the General Assembly to step down.

“I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened?

“I don’t think we have been furnished with that information. I think a lot of people in the Church haven’t been furnished with that information, so it is very difficult to make any judgment on that.

“This is a serious issue and we need to make sure that people are protected, that they are looked after, and they are safe.

“I know a lot of people will have concerns that might not have been the case, and whatever steps are needed to make sure that happens in the future will need to be enacted.”

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has around 180,000 members belonging to more than 500 congregations across 19 regional presbyteries across the island.

Speaking on Wednesday, Church Convenor Rev David Bruce said the Church’s primary concern now was for the “people who have been harmed, placed at risk, or who simply didn’t hear from us when they needed help or guidance”.

He said: “We have let you down, and for this I am truly sorry. It should not have happened.

Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly. I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to...

“I want you to know that we will do everything we can to both put in place better arrangements to prevent this occurring again, and to put the appropriate help and support in place for you now.

“Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly.”

He added: “I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to, heard and responded to, as they should have been previously.”

The PSNI said it had dedicated detectives trained to investigate and support all victims of abuse.

It said anyone wishing to report a crime could come forward by calling 101 or online using the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.