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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. (more…)

Reports have appeared in two of our local newspapers today (19.12.25) of the special General Assembly, called by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland over the police investigation into failures to properly safeguard its young people from perverts within its perimeters.

Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Trevor Gribben resigned last month after an internal review found “serious and significant failings” in central safeguarding functions for children and vulnerable adults from 2009 to 2022.

The previous moderator, Rev Richard Murray, stepped in when Rev Trevor Gribben resigned.

The PSNI and Charity Commission have launched investigations into the matter.

Rev Richard Murray called a special General Assembly, which met yesterday. The Belfast Newsletter reported on this gathering.

“Hundreds of Presbyterian clerics and elders from across the island of Ireland have come together to discuss the fall out of the safeguarding scandal.”

The Moderator is reported as saying at the beginning of the special meeting:

“So we are turning to God today to repent of our sin, to grieve and to lament before him, to pray that he would have mercy upon us, and guide us in how we might rectify our behaviour so that these things might not happen again.

Delegates were chided that despite an invitation going to them to come to a prayer meeting before proceedings began, only around 50 turned up.” (more…)