Moderator calls for Prayer for Nepal
- 04 Sep, 2026
Following August’s devastating flood in Nepal, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) is encouraging its members to support the work of its partners on the ground as they seek to respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of those affected.
On 26 August, a section of a glacier collapsed in the Himalayas on the Nepal-China border causing a massive surge of water, which travelled along the Trishuli River, causing destruction in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading regions, north of Kathmandu. Floodwater swept away roads, homes, farmland, schools, businesses and health facilities, leaving many communities inaccessible. As of 3 September, 1,252 deaths had been confirmed with 4,216 people unaccounted for.
In the aftermath of the floods, residents and rescuers were on high alert due to the risk of further flooding, as debris blocked rivers, forming barriers that could break quickly leading to further large releases of water.
PCI’s Moderator, Right Rev Dr Richard Kerr said:
“We have a long and close association with Nepal through the United Mission to Nepal, and we have a close affinity with the country and its people. Like so many of us, I’ve watched with horror the video footage of the devastation caused by these flash floods. We are deeply concerned for the communities affected, and we encourage our members to hold these people in prayer and support the relief efforts of our partners.”
PCI’s development partners, Christian Aid Ireland, Tearfund and Tearfund Ireland are responding, along with PCI’s partner in country, the United Mission to Nepal (UMN). UMN continue to send regular updates detailing the situation and their response to it, which is evolving based on needs assessments. The immediate needs are for food, safe drinking water, shelter, WASH supplies and medicines.
On 2 September, UMN provided urgent relief to families in Nuwakot, distributing essential food supplies to 116 families. They said, “For families who have lost so much, every food item, cooking utensil and helping hand matters. Yet these 116 families represent only a fraction of the many people still waiting for assistance.”
One of those affected is Dil Bahadur, a 70-year-old mean from Rasuwa. “My heart ached as I spoke with Dil Bahadur” says Melsan Shrestha, a UMN staff member currently in Rasuwa. “We sat in the wreckage beside his house and he shared his story. Just as we were speaking a helicopter took off from the site, carrying human remains.”
Dil Bahadur was working in the fields when the flood hit. His wife was at home. As the flood started getting into the village and into the houses, he started running as fast as he could to safe grounds. He survived, but he doesn’t know what happened to his wife.
Six days after the disaster, half of his house lies beneath the sand and mud. He looks at his house, searching for answers that may never come. “I don’t know if she tried to run away from the house or if she was trapped inside”. His heart tells him that her body is still inside the house and hopes to find it. The damaged house stands deeply buried under the mud and ruins.
For now, Dil Bahadur can only sit and wait and hold on to the hope of finding her body one day.
In the coming weeks and months, the needs will change, with longer term support needed to help families, businesses and services get back on their feet. Families will need permanent housing solutions and livelihoods assistance, schools and health facilities will need equipment and supplies, and infrastructure including roads will need to be rebuilt. Some people may remain displaced, unable to return to homes and land they have inhabited for years.
The Moderator asks for prayer for:
- God’s comfort for those who have lost loved ones or who are continuing to search and wait for news of missing relatives
- Affected families, who have lost homes, land and livelihoods
- Safety and wisdom for teams who are responding to the immediate needs as well as planning for longer term interventions
- Communities that have been cut off, that aid would be able to get to them
- Christian organizations that are responding – that their service would reflect God’s love
Images from Nepal
Donate
Those who wish to donate to PCI partners engaged in the relief effort and in the provision of longer term aid, are encouraged to do so directly through the websites of:
Participation in safeguarding & governance review underway
- 06 Aug, 2026
In March of this year the INEQE Safeguarding Group was commissioned to conduct an independent review of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) governance and safeguarding arrangements. To assist in that review, INEQE has opened a number of online surveys that will assist in that process.
Encouraging participation, PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Richard Kerr, and the new Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Jonathan Boyd, have written to the Church’s 500-plus congregations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to encourage the widest possible participation. Speaking about the opportunity to take part, Dr Kerr said:
“As we move forward as a Presbyterian family, I welcome the fact that we have got to this stage. For INEQE, listening to and learning from individuals involved in the life, work and ministry of PCI across the island is an important and essential part of the review. This includes both those who have concerns about safeguarding and governance, and those who do not. It is important to hear the voices of as many people as possible.
“Depending on a person’s relationship with the Church, INEQE has produced five different surveys. There is one for those who worship and attend our services, another for safeguarding persons in congregations, members of staff who work for PCI, and another for children and young people. There is also one for victims and survivors, whose voices are so important. Each contribution will be anonymous and their answers will be treated confidentially.”
How to take part in INEQE’s Safeguarding and Governance Review
You can take part in the online surveys here where you will also find further information on the independent review.
All contributions are anonymous, are submitted directly to INEQE (not to PCI), and will be treated confidentially.
It is important to note that the only time an individual’s confidential engagement with the Review team might be breached would be in the event of a disclosure of suspected harm to a child, adult at risk or criminal conduct. In such circumstances the information will only be shared with the appropriate statutory agency.
For children under the age of 13, the survey should be completed with the help and support of a parent or guardian.
The surveys close on 21 September 2026.
Welcoming the development, Rev Jonathan Boyd said:
“As we seek to honour and serve God in the protection of the most vulnerable amongst us, I want to join with the Moderator in strongly encouraging the widest possible participation in this important process. The outcome of this independent review will help to further shape our safeguarding and governance.”
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INEQE Survey materials
‘Deep sense of gratitude’ felt at annual remembrance service
- 12 Jul, 2026
The former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), Very Rev Dr Charles McMullen, has spoken of the “deep sense of gratitude” and the “shared responsibility to remember” that he felt having taken part in today’s National Day of Commemoration, which was held in Dublin’s Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The equivalent of the UK’s Remembrance Sunday in November, since 1986 on the closest Sunday to 11 July, the Republic of Ireland remembers all Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars, or on military service with the United Nations, and other international organisations in the service of peace. The 11 July is a significant date as it was the day in 1921 that the truce was signed that ended the Irish War of Independence.
Representing PCI’s current Moderator, Dr Richard Kerr, during the commemoration Dr McMullen prayed during an act of Christian of worship before taking part in a joint blessing with other church leaders that was given at its conclusion.
Speaking after the event, Dr McMullen said:
“It was an absolute honour to represent Irish Presbyterians once again at this significant act of national remembrance. Having done so in 2018, when I served as Moderator, I felt that there is always something comforting in the familiar. But then as now, I experienced a deep sense of gratitude for those who had served in both World Wars, and continue to serve in the Irish Defence Forces around the world with the UN. I also felt that we all have a shared responsibility to remember those who served, those who did not return, and the brokenness of our humanity so often leads to conflict.
“Sacrifice always comes at a price. There is often a personal cost to putting on a uniform, a cost often carried in the pain and loss of loved ones left behind to grieve. Many families know the constant ache of the empty chair at the table, which is why I believe that it is important to remember, as it expresses community, solidarity, heartfelt gratitude, and the deep prayer that history need not repeat itself.
“It is also why I prayed this morning: ‘Lord God, may we be peacemakers…’ and while we also remembered those from Ireland who have been killed on peacekeeping duties with the United Nations, people of faith and, indeed of no faith at all, can be peacemakers and reconcilers, wherever we live.”
On this, the 40th anniversary of the first Commemoration, the main act if remembrance took place in Dublin. Other local commemorations took place in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford. Following the laying of a wreath by the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, in memory of those who died, a minute’s silence was observed. Having been elected last year, this was the first time that President Connolly had led the nation in remembrance.
The event also saw the participation of the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and was attended by other senior political and civic representatives, including members of the Government, members of the Oireachtas, the Council of State, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Judiciary. Representatives of the next-of-kin of those who died in past wars or on UN service, other international organisations in the service of peace, ex-servicemen’s organisations, as well as relatives of the 1916 Leaders, were also invited.
Dr McMullen, who is also President of the Irish Council of Churches, concluded by saying:
“For those who did not return, we remember and honour their memory. As we do so, we also honour those who also served and continue to serve. It was a pleasure to meet folk who had served in the Irish Defence Forces, and those from Ireland who had served in the British armed forces. It was quite emotional, and spoke to me of the inclusiveness of this important event.”
Dr McMullen’s prayer at the National Day of Commemoration
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Almighty God, we have turned our backs on you, preferring war to peace, seeing others as enemies rather than friends, reinforcing stereotypes rather than celebrating our common humanity.
“Today we confess before you our pride and selfishness, all that leads to violence and the suffering of countless millions. Examine our own hearts and remove all bitterness, partisan attitudes and the sectarian hatred that locks us into ever downward spirals.
“Help us in these moments of reflection to look to you and the healing, reconciling power of your love. All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe – people and things, animals and atoms – get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of your death, your blood that flowed down from the cross.
“Lord God, may we be peacemakers, as belonging to you, we speak your words and walk in your ways, reaching out to others with the hand of friendship. We pray in the Name of the King of Love and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.”
The 2018 General Assembly clarified the position of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland with regards to the denomination’s participation in multi-faith civic events. You can read the position of the Church here.
