By Kirk Petersen Six months after a government-sponsored review accused the Church of England of having become "a place where abusers could hide," additional revelations about sexual abuse by priests continue to haunt the church. In 30 years as vicar of Emmanuel Church Wimbledon, the Rev. Jonathan Fletcher, now 78, is alleged to have engaged in naked beatings, swimming, … [Read more...] about Fletcher Sex Abuse Scandal Roils C of E Evangelicals
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CofE Creates Fund for Abuse Survivors and Victims
By Kirk Petersen The Archbishop's Council, a leadership body of the Church of England, announced September 26 that it had voted unanimously to create a fund to provide payments to survivors and victims of church-based sexual abuse. The announcement did not specify an amount, but said the council "agreed to draw down reserves for an initial support fund." The council's … [Read more...] about CofE Creates Fund for Abuse Survivors and Victims
ABC Calls for Mandatory Reporting on Sexual Abuse
British news organizations are reporting that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has told a government panel "I am convinced we need to move to mandatory reporting for regulated activities." This would affect clergy, church youth group leaders, and secular professions like teaching, healthcare and sporting activities. The Guardian reports that Welby said he feels … [Read more...] about ABC Calls for Mandatory Reporting on Sexual Abuse
Sex-Abuse Hearings in Tandem With General Synod
While the Church of England is holding its semi-annual General Synod at the University of York, the Church’s past conduct is being scrutinized at a hearing in London, 200 miles to the south. For the past five years, a government-funded panel has been investigating the failure of many institutions, including the Church of England, to safeguard children from child sexual … [Read more...] about Sex-Abuse Hearings in Tandem With General Synod
C of E’s Safeguarding Travails
The Church of England is experiencing an ordeal as its attitudes about accusations of child sexual abuse by clergy are raked over by a public inquiry. George Pitcher, a former media officer on the staff of Lambeth Palace, has testified that that the church’s attitude to abuse was to stonewall. Pitcher, who worked during the tenure of Archbishop Rowan Williams, said staff had … [Read more...] about C of E’s Safeguarding Travails