"Following an internal investigation and report, it has become clear that there have been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022. As a result of this people have been placed at risk. We are aware of a number of people who have been harmed, and we believe there may well be others as yet unknown to us. We apologise unreservedly for this."
"The Church's first and greatest concern about this is for those people who have suffered harm, and those who have been put at risk. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland profoundly regrets this, is deeply grieved and will offer all possible support to those affected. Although not directly responsible for the professional delivery of safeguarding within the Church, nonetheless serious and significant failings in our central safeguarding functions occurred partly during my tenure as General Secretary."
"In light of this, I have decided it would be best at this time for me to step aside from my current role as Moderator of the General Assembly, the Church's chief public representative. I have therefore informed the Church's General Council, and Charity Trustees, that I intend to stand down from the office of Moderator of the General Assembly at the end of this month, thus giving time to make arrangements for these duties to be fulfilled by others."
An internal investigation found serious and significant failings in central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from 2009 to 2022, which placed people at risk and harmed a number of individuals, with others possibly unknown. The Church apologises unreservedly and expresses profound regret, prioritising those harmed and offering support. Although not directly responsible for professional safeguarding delivery, some failures occurred partly during Dr Trevor Gribben's tenure as General Secretary. Dr Gribben will step aside as Moderator of the General Assembly at month-end and has asked to retire from his employed roles as Clerk of the Assembly and General Secretary to allow others to implement remedial steps.
#presbyterian-church-in-ireland #safeguarding-failures #internal-investigation #resignation-and-retirement
Read at Irish Independent
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