The Presbyterian Church in Ireland's General Assembly opened at Assembly Buildings in Belfast with safeguarding failures dominating proceedings. Police are investigating 101 referrals following an internal review that found serious failings in the church's central safeguarding functions for children and vulnerable adults between 2009 and 2022. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has also launched a statutory inquiry.

Operations Director Ken Swarbrick told the assembly that the safeguarding team is small and overstretched, and that not all issues can be tackled at once. He said some matters are being prioritised while others are monitored. When the crisis emerged last year, the church had some safeguarding staff but no formal department. It now has a team including a safeguarding lead, several full-time and part-time officers, and administrative support. Caitlin Neale has been appointed as Safeguarding Training Officer and will join next month, while Geoff Marshall is serving as Temporary Safeguarding Lead.

Swarbrick said the department is growing but remains under pressure. Since the failures came to light, training has been delivered to more than 3,000 youth leaders and 1,400 elders. In May, over 1,000 vetting applications were processed, but the rate of new applications exceeds the processing capacity.

Rev Dr David Bruce, convenor of the Safeguarding Development Committee, said a telephone response line has been set up and all reports are passed to police or social services. A new protocol for clergy suspensions has been developed after earlier concerns that suspended ministers were not informed of the reasons.

Bruce also noted that the Charity Commission inquiry, being carried out by safeguarding organisation INEQE, is hearing the stories of complainants. He said their experiences would help shape future best practice.

The former Moderator, Rev Trevor Gribben, resigned in November when the internal review findings were made public.

In other business, the assembly voted to form a group to consider remaining in the World Communion of Reformed Churches, citing the body's stance on LGBT issues and abortion. Former moderators Rev John Dunlop and Rev Trevor Morrow spoke against the proposal, but it passed on a voice vote.

The assembly also made several appointments: Acting Clerk Rev David Allen was appointed Assistant Clerk, Rev Jonathan Boyd became Clerk, and Rev Michael McClenahan was reappointed as Principal of Union Theological College.