The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is experiencing an “ecclesiastical earthquake” as it deals with safeguarding failings, a congregation-wide meeting has heard. The church has held its second gathering in Belfast to hear an update on failings in welfare and protection processes. In 2025, the church announced that significant failings had been found in central safeguarding functions. Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Trevor Gribben stood down last year after a review found “serious and significant failings” in the functions from 2009 to 2022. “As a church, we will have an important job to do when these reports are completed.

Source: Irish Examiner February 19, 2026 18:23 UTC