The following is a summary of the resolutions passed by the members of a special General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, published by the ‘Belfast Newsletter today.
The special General Assembly was called in response to the news that a police investigation has been launched into “serious and significant failings” in central safeguarding functions for children and vulnerable adults from 2009 to 2022.
It is to be noted that the resolutions read like that which a secular organisation might formulate when faced by a similar crisis.
THERE IS NOT ONE MENTION OF THE LORD, THE WORD OF GOD, OR REPENTANCE BEFORE GOD FOR THE YEARS OF REBELLION THAT HAVE LED UP TO THIS DREADFUL SITUATION!
I said in a previous article (Presbyterian Church in Ireland special General Assembly) that repentance was a gift from God and a church which had for some 100 years lived to defy God and embrace Bible-rejecting doctrines and honour those who promoted such evil, would not be granted repentance as is taught in Scripture in passages such as Proverbs 1:22-33.
The remarks of the replacement Moderator, Rev Richard Murray, I put down as mere ‘window dressing’. There is no formulating of his sentiments or incorporating of them into the resolutions summarised in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ today.
Here is what the ’Newsletter’ states.
Presbyterian Church in Ireland safeguarding crisis: The key decisions made by Special General Assembly
The gathering of over over 700 ministers and elders passed a series of resolutions that will :
1. Elevate significantly the position of safeguarding in PCI through the establishment of a new Safeguarding Department with new direct line management and external oversight through a Safeguarding Supervision Panel.
2. Create two senior level posts – a Head of Safeguarding; and a Safeguarding Lead – with appropriate professional social work and administrative support.
3. At an appropriate time, hold a full, independent, external review of PCI Safeguarding at all levels.
4. Separate PCI’s obligations under the Protection of Adults at Risk of Harm from those of Child Protection, which are different, and all appropriate measures to foster a safer environment for Adults at Risk of Harm be adopted.
5. Establish a task group ‘to inquire into issues of governance, culture and integrity’ within PCI, with the aim of improving the proper functioning of the Church
6. Establish a task group to revise the recruitment process for the post or posts of Clerk Designate of the General Assembly and General Secretary Designate, and to look at the role and job specification and possible separation of the roles.
7. Give consideration to cutting back the public ceremonial aspects and role of the moderator.
8. Review the protocol for standing down a minister, elder, or leader due to safeguarding concerns will be reviewed.
9. Review all aspects of the use of Compromise agreements – including Non-Disclosure Agreement.
These are but the sewing together of the fig leaves of hypocrisy to cover a century of rebellion and its inevitable harvest!
(The grammatical errors in this quote are of the ‘Belfast Newsletter’s making!)
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
Saturday 20th December 2025