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Church of England Faces Scrutiny Over Safeguarding Failures

As the Church of England grapples with another potential pre-Christmas safeguarding scandal, it finds itself embroiled in a cycle of accountability that has become all too familiar.

Independent report/BBC reporter: You have let down the victims of abuse and shamefully permitted their abusers to stay within the church.
Bishop: I regret this deeply, but I cannot take full responsibility.
All: Resign.
Bishop: Blessed are those who commission independent reviews for they shall find peace.
All: Resign.
Bishop: What would resignation accomplish? Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All bishops except the bishop of Newcastle: Amen.

Looking at the latest developments, it was Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, who temporarily took over for the recently resigned Justin Welby. He responded to criticisms regarding the promotion of a known abuser within his previous diocese, reinforcing the church’s reluctance to adapt its accountability practices in light of broader societal demands for transparency.

The BBC’s recent investigative report on the late David Tudor, a priest accused of sexual misconduct, prompted Julie Conalty, the bishop of Birkenhead and the church’s deputy lead for safeguarding, to express a sense of greater urgency concerning the church’s safeguarding protocols. During an interview with Radio 4’s World at One, she acknowledged that other priests are also under restrictions regarding their interaction with children, suggesting a systemic issue that may not be adequately addressed. It raises the question: how can the church ensure that new congregants, especially during the busy holiday season, feel secure against potential abuses of trust?

Concerning Cottrell’s future, who is resisting calls for his resignation, Conalty pointed to a troubling lack of available bishops who meet the standard for reliability and integrity. “If not Stephen Cottrell, then who?” she asked, highlighting the ongoing challenge of finding church leaders who have not either directly or indirectly contributed to the ongoing safeguarding failures.

If the church struggles to identify a bishop that meets these criteria, it compounds existing issues related to its legislative legitimacy. This concern had already been magnified by the presence of 26 bishops in the House of Lords, prompting critique over the propriety of unelected officials from a faith that seems increasingly marginalized, despite its historical significance.

The church’s decline in attendance and negative public sentiment does not appear to deter its self-proclaimed moral authority. Had Paula Vennells, former CEO of the Post Office, succeeded in her bid to become bishop of London in 2017, members of the House of Lords might be listening to her preach, despite her controversial history.

Following Cottrell’s public statements after Welby’s resignation, his attempts to promote social cohesion through grand statements about inclusivity contrast sharply with ongoing issues within parishes that still reject female clergy. The existence of “flying bishops” for congregations opposed to female leadership, facilitated by a policy termed “mutual flourishing,” reveals deeper divisions within the church regarding gender equality.

The church’s handling of abuse scandals and safeguarding accusations has led critics to view its management as fundamentally flawed. Cottrell’s deflection of responsibility concerning Tudor’s case illustrated a troubling pattern. Despite acknowledging the distress surrounding Tudor, he did not see resignation as an appropriate response to the situation, further alienating victims of abuse.

One victim poignantly summarized the sentiments of many when describing Cottrell’s response, stating simply, “It feels like he spat in my face.”

Despite calls for accountability, the church’s leaders appear reluctant to fully support reform-oriented figures within their ranks, exposing a concerning level of incompetence that undermines their credibility. The ongoing failures related to safeguarding put into stark relief the need for meaningful change within the Church of England.

The admissions of regret from church officials, characterized primarily by procedural jargon rather than genuine attempts at substantive ethical reform, suggest an institution more focused on self-preservation than on accountability to its constituents.

In the lead-up to his resignation, Welby’s office sought candidates for a speechwriter—an idea met with skepticism given the current climate within the church. It raises an unsettling question: if the bar for leadership is so low, should individuals without any affiliation to faith or ethics, as long as they pass a police check, feel entitled to aspire to spiritual leadership within the Church of England?

As it stands, the Church of England faces a profound moment of reckoning. In the shadows of its historic stature, the need for transformative action regarding safeguarding and leadership accountability is more pressing than ever.

Source
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