THE Bishop’s Council of the diocese of Truro has written an open letter calling for “real change” to safeguarding.
In a letter sent to churches and schools within the diocese, and published online on Wednesday, the council — which incorporates the Acting Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson — endorse the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, describing her recent motion as “prophetic”.
“Over the last three weeks the safeguarding failures of the Church of England have been laid bare yet again. We are hearing clearly from survivors and victims of abuse on this diocese and beyond that the national church response is causing intense pain,” the letter begins.
The signatories, which together with Bishop Nelson comprise the Archdeacons of Bodmin and Cornwall, the Dean of Truro, and the chairs of the diocesan board of finance, House of Laity, and House of Clergy — say that it they “join our voice to Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley’s prophetic call for us to be a distinct type of church.
“A church that doesn’t seek first to guard itself, but which champions those that are most vulnerable. A church where individuals with power are clearly and consistently held accountable,” the letter says. It features a note thanking survivors of abuse who contributed to its wording.
The council criticises the Church of England’s House of Bishops and Archbishops’ Council, saying that they “appear to have didn’t implement the recommendations made in quite a few reports and reviews, and we call for urgent change and motion to indicate that national leadership is prepared and capable of lead the changes required.”
Members of the General Synod are expected to make a call in February on which of two models of independent safeguarding they wish to adopt, following an intensive consultation (News, 16 December)
In July this 12 months, an independent safeguarding audit concluded that “good progress” had been made within the diocese. The report said that “strengths in Truro’s current safeguarding arrangements are evident at each a strategic and operational level” (News, 2 July).
