A Presbyterian minister in Coleraine has been removed from his post but remains “in good standing”, it has emerged.
Rev Ross Collins, who had been at Ballywatt Presbyterian Church near Portrush for 12 years, is the fourth minister to be released by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) in recent months.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, and his departure is not believed to be in connection with a safeguarding issue.
Although released from his position, it is understood Rev Collins remains a minister without charge, meaning he can apply for another role if one comes up.
The PCI said: “We can confirm that the minister of Ballywatt Presbyterian Church, Rev Ross Collins, has been released from his charge.
“He remains a minister in good standing in the PCI and is available to be called to serve another congregation.
“In line with normal procedures, we will not be making any further comment.”
Rev Collins was contacted for comment but was not available.
A former minister who did not wish to be named questioned the PCI’s handling of the matter.
He said: “I’m not sure if this is an appropriate way to treat ministers.
“Being removed from your charge is a pejorative statement, so he may face reputational damage from this.
“If he goes for another job as a minister, any congregation will be asking ‘What happened at Ballywatt?’.
“From a practical point of view, he has a wife and children. How long will he get paid for and be allowed to live in the manse? Where is the church’s duty of care towards him?”
Earlier this month, Sunday Life reported that the minister of Richhill Presbyterian Church had been stood down amid an enquiry by the Armagh Presbytery.
Rev Alastair McNeely had been the minister for more than 30 years.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, and his departure is not believed to be related to a safeguarding issue.
Rev McNeely was contacted for comment but was not available.
Last December, Connor Presbyterian Church minister Rev Philip Thompson was temporarily stood down.
In a separate case, Rev Alan Johnston was removed from his position at Killinchy Presbyterian Church.
However, it is understood he has now returned to his post.
The PCI descended into chaos last November after the PSNI launched an investigation into serious safeguarding failures.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland also launched an enquiry.
In February, Sunday Life revealed Dermot Parsons, director of the church’s Council for Social Witness, had left his position. The circumstances surrounding his departure are not known.
Mr Parsons, who had been in the post since 2021, had overall responsibility for safeguarding the church’s congregations, care homes, addiction centres and its ex-offenders’ hostel.
It has been claimed that Mr Parsons and Rev David Brice, the secretary and convenor to the Council for Social Witness respectively, ignored a damning report in 2023 by the then head of safeguarding Dr Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin.
This highlighted failings in safeguarding including a lack of resources and inadequate record keeping.
The PSNI previously said it had received 101 safeguarding referrals relating to the PCI.
It was announced last month that Jim Gamble, who formerly headed up the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, had been appointed to carry out an independent external review of the PCI’s governance and safeguarding arrangements