Serious concerns around discipline and internal governance have been raised about the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), according to documents seen by RTÉ News.
A dossier criticising the church's handling of discipline, pastoral care, internal governance, and compliance with its obligations as a registered charity was submitted to the charity regulators in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
It was compiled by former Alliance Party leader and House of Lords member John Alderdice, who was an elder in the PCI for three decades before he resigned from the church seven years ago.
The introduction, background and conclusion of the report highlights "a turning point" for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 2018 when it voted to exclude same-sex couples and their children from full church participation.
This sparked resignations and accusations that the PCI was adopting a hardline, intolerant stance, exposing deeper issues around leadership culture and treatment of dissent.
It alleges a pattern of bullying, intimidation, and misuse of power by senior officials, with some ministers and elders disciplined or forced out for holding more inclusive views.
It also points to a lack of pastoral care for those affected, with some individuals too traumatised to participate in the investigation led by Mr Alderdice.
As a registered charity in both jurisdictions, the PCI’s governance and legal compliance are under scrutiny.
The report called on the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland’s Charities Regulator to investigate whether the church meets its charity obligations. It was submitted to both organisations three years ago.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has confirmed that it received the dossier and is actively reviewing it.
In a statement, it acknowledged that its complexity had delayed progress but stated it aimed to move towards a resolution in the coming months.
It added that further details would not be released for reasons of confidentiality.
The Charities Regulator in the Republic of Ireland declined to comment on individual cases, offering no further information on any investigation.
Attempts to contact Mr Alderdice for comment were unsuccessful.
A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church said: "While we are aware that a document has been submitted to the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland, like the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland, as a rule we do not comment on such matters."
The PCI which serves the whole of Ireland has over 540 congregations in 19 Presbyteries throughout Ireland with just under 230,000 members.
The majority of the congregations are based in Northern Ireland.
In the Republic of Ireland, the majority are to be found in the border counties of Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan and in and around the Dublin city area.
Last year, a purpose-built Presbyterian Church officially opened in Co Kildare to accommodate one of its youngest congregations.
It was the first time a new congregation has opened its own purpose-built building since the Irish Free State was established.
