By Mark Michael Financial worries, varied progress on safeguarding and evangelism, and new specs for church boilers dominated conversation at the February session of the Church of England’s General Synod, held February 8-10 at Church House in London. A testy exchange over the hiring of the church’s new appointments secretary, Stephen Knott, provided a rare moment of drama in … [Read more...] about C of E Synod: Financial Woes, Safeguarding & Boilers
safeguarding
Church of England: A Place Where Abusers Could Hide
By Mark Michael “The culture of the Church of England facilitated it becoming a place where abusers could hide,” concluded a damning 154-page report released October 6 by the United Kingdom’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The report recommended that diocesan bishops should no longer have “operational responsibility” for investigations into abuse … [Read more...] about Church of England: A Place Where Abusers Could Hide
Welby Under Review for Mishandling Abuse Allegation
By Mark Michael The Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team is reviewing a claim that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby mishandled abuse accusations made against his former mentor, the late John Smyth. According to reports in The Church Times, an abuse survivor, “Graham” alleges that in 2013 Welby failed to report his complaint to church officials in South … [Read more...] about Welby Under Review for Mishandling Abuse Allegation
More from Oxford on Lord Carey
The Rt. Rev. Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, provides further background on his decision to grant Permission to Officiate at the request of Lord Carey: We recognise that there will be renewed questions concerning Lord Carey’s Permission to Officiate following the IICSA hearings this week and I am sorry that my response to Lord Carey’s request for PTO in February this year … [Read more...] about More from Oxford on Lord Carey
Lord Carey Allowed to Preach Again
The Diocese of Oxford has lifted the ban on the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, allowing him to preach and lead worship in his local parish. For now, however, he will not return to any duties as an honorary assistant bishop. Last June Lord Carey stood down after complaints that he and other senior church figures “colluded” with the former Bishop of Gloucester, … [Read more...] about Lord Carey Allowed to Preach Again
Abuse Investigations ‘Botched’
A report to be published this month claims the Church of England “botched” its investigations into alleged cases of abuse. Sir Roger Singleton, chairman of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, said the church’s 2010 investigations “failed to give a complete picture” of the abuse. He said that in mitigation he found “no evidence of a planned, deliberate attempt to … [Read more...] about Abuse Investigations ‘Botched’
Abuse Concerns Expand
The specter of sexual abuse by clergy and church workers has emerged as a concern for Anglican churches in New Zealand and Southern Africa. In New Zealand the church has asked the government to expand its Royal Commission inquiry into abuse to include the church and its agencies. Archbishops Philip Richardson and Winston Halapua have written to the government on instructions … [Read more...] about Abuse Concerns Expand
‘Fresh Information’ on Bp. Bell
A statement from the Rt. Rev. Peter Hancock, the Church of England’s lead bishop for safeguarding: There are ongoing queries and comments around the Bishop Bell case and we would all like this matter to come to a conclusion. However, in light of General Synod questions that need to be responded to and the reference to the case in the IICSA hearing [Jan. 30], I would like to … [Read more...] about ‘Fresh Information’ on Bp. Bell