The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), which is under police investigation for safeguarding failings over several years, has denied using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in the case of whistle-blowers or safeguarding matters.
However, it has set up a task group to look at its use of such agreements. It has also established a new Safeguarding Department with external oversight; and committed to a full, independent external review of safeguarding within the denomination “at an appropriate time.”
It follows a plea by ex-Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie that the PCI should dissolve all existing NDAs. He warned that NDAs make a “nonsense” of the PCI’s own appeal for potential victims to come forward.
A PCI spokesperson said: “The use of NDAs, in relation to employment related matters, is not uncommon in organisations as large as PCI. There is no suggestion, however, that they have been used in relation to either whistleblowing or safeguarding related matters.”
The PCI is being investigated by police following serious safeguarding failures. It has admitted that between 2009 and 2021 it made “inexcusable” failures, including not making referrals to statutory authorities when required; not keeping proper and adequate records; and failing to monitor offenders returning to worship in church.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has also launched an inquiry.
At an emergency meeting of the PCI Special Assembly in December, the new moderator Richard Murray apologised for the harm caused. He said: “For those of us in the church this has been one of the hardest things to bear at this time - that the name of the Lord has been brought into disrepute, people have been harmed and the gospel, God’s good news, brought into disrepute…”
He added: “We… grieve and lament for those who have been hurt and harmed (and for their families who have to pick up the pieces), acknowledging that there will be things these good people have to live with for the rest of their lives. And to them we say ‘Sorry that you have been hurt or harmed by our failings.’”
The PCI spokesperson said it was also “resolved to establish a Task Group to look into the use of compromise agreements, which includes the use of NDAs.” This will report back with recommendations in June.
The PCI has around 185,000 members belonging to 500-plus congregations across 19 regional presbyteries throughout Ireland.
Help and support
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help is available via: FearFree Support (www.fearfree.org.uk); the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 / safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk; The Samaritans helpline - 116 123; The National Association for People Abused in Childhood napac.org.uk.
