Church leaders reply to ‘devastating’ Grenfell Tower report

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for “deep reflection and meaningful change” after a landmark report into the Grenfell Tower fire concluded that every one 72 deaths were “avoidable”.

The 23-storey constructing, in North Kensington, became engulfed in a deadly fire within the early hours of 14 June 2017. The first phase of the inquiry’s report in 2019 blamed the rapid spread of the fireplace on flamable cladding that had been added to the constructing’s exterior during a recent refurbishment. 

Sir Martin Moore-Bick published his final findings in a scathing 1,700-page report on Wednesday accused cladding manufacturers of “systematic dishonesty” while also identifying failings by government ministers and officials, London Fire Brigade, architects and the local council in Kensington and Chelsea. 

The seven-year inquiry concluded that repeated warnings concerning the risks had been ignored and that “greed” had come before safety. Despite the damning findings, criminal prosecutions are usually not expected to be brought until 2027.

Archbishop Justin Welby said he was praying for the survivors and victims’ families who he said had suffered “unimaginable loss”. The Archbishop said that justice for those affected by the tragedy was “long overdue”. 

“It is chilling to read that systematic dishonesty and a refusal to hearken to concerns were partially responsible for Grenfell Tower becoming a death trap. This is a dreadful reminder that human lives should never be sacrificed within the pursuit of profit,” he said. 

“Home must be a spot where all of us feel secure, a sanctuary where we’re capable of grow and develop. But despite being in one in every of the richest cities on the planet, home was not that for the residents of the Grenfell Tower.

“This tragedy shows us that we must cherish and protect everyone in our society, and that safety mustn’t just be the preserve of the rich.

“We must commit to constructing a housing system that’s secure and fair for everybody on this country.”

The former Bishop of Kensington, Dr Graham Tomlin, has said he hopes that the report is a step towards justice for everybody caught up within the tragedy.

Dr Tomlin was Bishop of Kensington on the time of the disaster and advocated on behalf of the survivors and victims’ families. 

Commenting on the report, he said it was a “devastating read”.

“It tells a story of systemic failure, disregard for safety, firms, organisations and individuals turning a blind eye to repeated warnings of what could occur,” he said. 

“For the bereaved and survivors this can be a difficult day but possibly a hopeful one as well. The report is an exercise in truth-telling, identifying wrongs that were committed, which is itself a very important step towards justice and a more lasting peace of mind and heart that such justice could bring.

“Jesus once said ‘is not going to God grant justice to those that cry out to him day and night?’ Those caught up on this tragedy have been crying for such justice for seven years and this report is hopefully a step in that direction.”

The current Bishop of Kensington, Dr Emma Ineson, called the findings “damning” and “utterly shocking” and said that Grenfell’s families and survivors were foremost in her thoughts.

“Seven years on, the report’s recommendations have to be implemented to be certain that never again will we see such dereliction of duty from those that must have kept people secure,” she said.

“We will always remember those that died because of this, and must proceed to recollect the lots of of survivors and family members who live within the shadow of the disaster every single day.”