Safeguarding failures within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will be a key focus for its incoming moderator, Rev Richard Kerr, who says the denomination must work to rebuild trust following a series of concerns.
Rev Kerr, minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church in Ballyclare, has been named moderator-designate of the Church, which represents around 500 congregations across the island of Ireland.
Speaking about the appointment, he admitted his first reaction was not confidence, but humility.
“It is a wonderful honour,” he said. “But when I first found out, I must say that I thought this is too big a job for me to take on. I feel totally inadequate in and of myself, and very much feel that I need God’s help.
“My prayer is that in my weakness, he can be at work and work through me for his glory.”
Kerr steps into the role at a turbulent time for the denomination, which is facing scrutiny over safeguarding failures within its central systems.
Last November, the Church owned up to significant shortcomings in how safeguarding concerns were handled between 2009 and 2021, with one additional case in 2022.
Describing the situation as “a very challenging time” for the Church, he said the failings are “a deep, deep cause for sadness for us as a denomination”.
Echoing his predecessor, Rev Richard Murray, Rev Kerr said the Church is “deeply apologetic” and “deeply sorry” for what has happened.
“We start from a place of contrition and lament for what has gone wrong,” he said. “We are deeply grieved that people have been hurt and harmed. That is totally unacceptable, and we hold our hands up in this regard.”
He pledged that addressing safeguarding shortcomings would be a priority during his year in office. A new safeguarding department is being established, which he said will be “well-staffed” and “well resourced”.
“We want to make sure, as far as it is in our power, that this never happens again,” he said, adding that governance structures are also being reviewed to “put our house in order”.
Investigations are ongoing, including inquiries by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
Asked what he would say to those who feel distrust towards senior church leaders following repeated safeguarding scandals, Kerr acknowledged that trust has been damaged.
He insisted that transparency and external scrutiny are essential to rebuilding confidence.
“There needs to be a thorough investigation. Things need to be brought into the open,” he said. “A big part of my role over this coming year will be to seek to regain and rebuild that trust — but the only way we can do that is by showing we are serious about addressing these issues.”
Kerr brings significant international experience to the role. He and his family spent eleven years serving in Malawi with the Church’s partner denomination, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian.
“It was a vibrant church, a growing church. We saw God at work and tens of thousands of people come to faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.
He described the experience as “formative”, having moved overseas in his twenties, and said it instilled a deep appreciation for teamwork and shared ministry.
His global involvement has also included service on the Church’s global mission council, travel in the Middle East, and partnership links with a church in western Ukraine. He and his wife have also hosted Ukrainian refugees in their home.
Reflecting on ongoing unrest in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and Christian persecution in parts of Africa and Iran, Rev Kerr said Christians must listen carefully to believers in affected regions. He also stressed the importance of supporting peace-making efforts and prayer.
“We cannot be for war,” he said. “We must be people who advocate peace. We are called to pray into these situations. I believe, as we pray, God works.”
Asked how people can pray for him as he steps into the new role, he asked for wisdom, guidance by the Holy Spirit, and for the Church to remain focused on its core calling.
“I feel totally inadequate for this task. It is a massive responsibility to be a figurehead for our denomination at this particularly challenging time.”
“We want to make sure that all that’s been going on does not distract from the hope that is in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us,” he said.
Looking ahead to the year, he said he is particularly excited about visiting congregations across Ireland , from historic churches marking its’ 400th anniversary, to new church plants.
Rev Kerr will officially take up the role in June, when he’ll be nominated at the Church’s General Assembly in Belfast.
