Row at First Presbyterian rumbles on

In a letter, sent to the Mail and to top church leaders in Belfast, the writer claims that “many more families” have left the church since the conclusion of the Presbyterian Church’s investigation into a long-running litany of grievances between the Minister Rev David Henry and some of the congregation and elders.

Earlier this year the Mail revealed how the church had been so torn apart the Presbyterian Church’s top ruling body stepped in to mediate.

Former Moderator Dr John Finlay was called in to try and resolve the row which has seen Mr John Spence being removed from office of Clerk of Sessions and strong criticisms made of the minister.

The Mail received a copy of a top church document which contained the findings of the highest committee of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Judicial Commission, following a year-long attempt to resolve the disputes.

The commission described the situation at First Lurgan as “deeply disturbing”, detailing how it is “now fractured by breakdowns in relationships” with some hurts “unlikely to ever heal”.

The letter writer described himself as a ‘concerned and disillusioned’ member who has been worshipping at the church for more than 50 years.

He claims to be ‘deeply saddened’ that Rev David Henry is still working as a minister in Lurgan.

“Since your decision we have lost many more families from our congregation and we now have the position that despite the majority of elders and committee members no longer supporting him you allow him to remain in situ,” he told the Clerk of the Assembly at Presbyterian HQ.

“Sadly many of the members and elders have not only left our church but also the Presbyterian Church in Ireland,” said the letter writer who claimed the congregation were denied access to the full findings of the Commission.

The writer said he would remain in the congregation despite not supporting Rev Henry but added: “There will be no reconciliation in our church while he stays in place.”

The man claimed he felt unable to put his name to letter because he had been verbally abused by one member of the congregation.

Dr Finlay was appointed initially for a year to “observe and advise” the minister. Mr Henry was also asked to take “immediate steps to heal wounds” and, along with the session, undergo training on peacemaking and conflict resolution and visit those who feel “disaffected and hurt by recent words and actions”.

A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church said: “While the Presbyterian Church does not respond to anonymous letters the correspondent expresses the depth of feeling and hurt being experienced by all those involved within First Lurgan.

“In its ‘Finding’ to the congregation the Judicial Commission recognised this and directed various steps to be taken in what it described as ‘a long process of rebuilding’ which it stated ‘would take time and genuine effort’ to achieve.

“This letter indicates the difficulty of that task and the need for everyone involved to prayerfully and sincerely engage in taking those steps towards a fresh start,” said the spokesperson.

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