The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) is at the center of an unprecedented dual investigation, as the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) both probe the church’s safeguarding practices and governance in the wake of serious failures. The situation has sent ripples through the church community and beyond, raising difficult questions about institutional responsibility, accountability, and the future direction of one of Northern Ireland’s largest religious organizations.
On December 15, 2025, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland announced it had launched a statutory inquiry into the PCI, including not just its central organization but also its constituent parts, affiliated groups, and local congregations. This is the commission’s highest level of investigation—a move that underscores the gravity of the concerns raised by recent revelations. As a registered charity, the PCI is subject to legal requirements, and the commission is obligated by law to “identify and investigate apparent misconduct or mismanagement,” according to statements published by BBC and The Irish News.
This inquiry comes on the heels of a criminal investigation launched last month by the PSNI, following the church’s own admission of “serious and significant failings” in safeguarding. These failures, which spanned from 2009 to 2022, included instances where individuals who had suffered harm sought help but were met with inaction, and situations where offenders returned to church worship but were “inadequately monitored.” The consequences of these lapses are still unfolding, both for the individuals affected and for the church’s reputation as a moral and community leader.
The fallout has already led to significant leadership changes. In November 2025, Rev Trevor Gribben, who had held the twin posts of general secretary and clerk of the General Assembly for 11 years before becoming moderator in June, stepped down. In his resignation statement, Gribben acknowledged, “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.” The previous year’s moderator, Rev Dr Richard Murray, has since resumed the position, tasked with guiding the church through this tumultuous period.
An internal report, commissioned in the wake of the safeguarding revelations, did not mince words about the PCI’s predicament. The report, published on the church’s website ahead of a special General Assembly meeting, described the church’s position as “shameful.” It stated, “In addition to safeguarding issues, there is an awareness that there are other significant matters that demand consideration by PCI which may not fall under criminal charges but involve governance, culture and integrity issues. This is a shameful position for part of the Church of Jesus Christ to be in.”
The Charity Commission’s chief executive, Frances McCandless, emphasized the broader implications for public trust in the charitable sector. “Safeguarding is fundamental to maintaining public trust in charities. Every charity must make the safety and wellbeing of those they serve their highest priority,” McCandless stated, as reported by BBC and The Irish News. The commission will now work closely with the PCI to address the identified safeguarding and governance issues and ensure that “appropriate remedial steps” are implemented. This formalizes the process for the commission and the church’s trustees to collaborate on reforms.
Meanwhile, the PSNI’s criminal investigation remains active and, according to Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck, “will not be affected by the Charity Commission’s inquiry processes.” Beck added, “We are working closely with the Charity Commission and with other statutory and community safeguarding partners. This coordinated approach ensures that any concerns raised are fully examined and that appropriate steps are taken to address any criminality and to protect those who have been harmed and need help and support to access a wide range of services.” He also encouraged anyone affected or with information to come forward, reassuring that dedicated specialist officers are available to support victims in accessing the criminal justice system.
The PCI’s leadership is attempting to respond with transparency and a willingness to change. A 23-page report, now public, outlines several proposals: the creation of a new safeguarding department, an independent external review of safeguarding practices, a review of the use of non-disclosure agreements, and the formation of a task group to examine governance, culture, and integrity. Notably, the report also recommends considering the splitting of the traditionally dual senior roles of general secretary and clerk of the General Assembly—an acknowledgment that concentrated authority may have contributed to oversight failures.
These proposals will be debated at a special meeting of the General Assembly in Belfast on December 18, 2025. The meeting, which will be public and live-streamed, is expected to draw significant attention from both within and outside the church. In a letter to ministers, two senior church members cautioned that “nothing is said that would either potentially defame an individual, nor impinge upon the police investigation which is ongoing.” The agenda includes a time of worship, followed by lunch and then debates—speeches will be strictly time-limited to ensure order and focus.
Beyond the technical and procedural reforms, the report calls for a deeper, more spiritual reckoning. It urges the church to “adopt a posture of a broken and contrite heart,” recognizing “the need for repentance, humility and lament.” This language reflects a desire not just for structural change, but for a cultural shift within the PCI—one that acknowledges past wrongs and seeks to rebuild trust through humility and genuine remorse.
Looking ahead, the church has signaled that this process will not be a one-off event. Another special meeting of the General Assembly may be convened on February 17, 2026, to continue the work of reform and reflection. For many within the PCI and the wider Northern Irish community, the hope is that this period of scrutiny and self-examination will lead to lasting change—not just in policies and procedures, but in the church’s culture and its commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable.
The coming months will be critical. The PCI faces the challenge of responding to both legal and moral demands, balancing the need for accountability with the imperative to support those harmed. The inquiries now underway represent not just a test of the church’s governance, but a moment of truth for its values and its future role in society.
