I am shocked and saddened by the revelations in the Diocese of Liverpool and I know they will have caused further deep distress and trauma to victims and survivors everywhere. It has further undermined not only confidence and faith in the Church, but will have had an impact on our parish safeguarding officers, for whose dedicated ministry I am deeply grateful. There must be an unhindered, independent investigation and the Archbishop of York has commissioned this.
On Monday of this week our Bishop’s Council received the annual report of our safeguarding team. We were grateful, penitent, and prayerful. In addition to securing independent scrutiny and oversight at the forthcoming General Synod, the church urgently needs to ensure much better systems to manage conduct, discipline, and complaint are in place for all office holders. Without this, the Church will never regain the trust and confidence of those it has so badly damaged.
I offer my prayers daily for victims and survivors, for all those who have lost trust and faith in the Church and pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we seek the transformation we so urgently need.
If you have been any safeguarding concerns, please contact our safeguarding team via email or you can find contact numbers on the website here.
You can also contact Safe Spaces, a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone impacted by church related abuse (safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk, 0300 303 1056).