The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is resigning from his position and is leaving the church following “serious and significant failings” around safeguarding issues.
Dr Trevor Gribben – who was formally installed in the position in June – will also be leaving his roles as Clerk of the Assembly and General Secretary.
In a statement, Dr Gribben said: “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.”
In his statement, Dr Gribben added: “In addition, I have asked, and been given permission to retire from my employed role as Clerk of the Assembly and General Secretary. This will allow others to take forward all of the steps that my colleague Dr Bruce will shortly outline.
"I have made these decisions and taken these steps with the deepest personal regret that our central failings have caused such harm to those who deserve our protection the most.”
Originally from Tandragee, Co Armagh, Dr Gribben had been serving his denomination as a clerk since 2014 before he took on his current position.