THE Children’s Society has rejected a donation from the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury. The chief executive said that to simply accept it “wouldn’t be consistent with the principles and values” of the charity.
In their email Christmas card, sent on Wednesday, Archbishop Welby and his wife Caroline endorsed the work of the Children’s Society; a post script said that they were donating to the charity.
On Friday, nonetheless, the organisation’s chief executive, Mark Russell, said: “After careful consideration, now we have respectfully decided not to simply accept the donation offered by the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury.
“The Children’s Society is deeply committed to supporting the survivors of abuse, our teams support victims of kid sexual abuse, and which means that accepting this donation wouldn’t be consistent with the principles and values that underpin our work.”
Asked whether donors were routinely screened, a spokesperson for the Children’s Society said: “It’s not concerning the individual or the institution but reasonably about ensuring that the contribution supports the work we do in a way that’s consistent with our principles.”
A spokesperson for Lambeth Palace said that they respected the choice. “The Archbishop of Canterbury shares the principles and values of The Children’s Society and is committed to supporting the survivors of abuse and victims of kid sexual abuse. He applauds The Children’s Society for his or her tireless work on this field,” the spokesperson said.
Online response to the Children’s Society’s decision has been mixed. Martin Sewell, a member of the General Synod and a retired lawyer, wrote that, while he had called for Archbishop to resign, “his Christian charity mustn’t be treated as tainted.”
The Priest-in-Charge of St Martin’s, Exning, the Revd Liam Beadle asked: “Who is helped by this aggressive virtue-signalling? Not the kids who are supposed to be helped by the Children’s Society.”
The Area Dean for Dover, the Revd Dr Andy Bawtree, wrote: “Rather petty from Mark Russell — are all donations vetted for taint?”
Another user of X, nonetheless, replied: “I respectfully disagree. A donation made as a public gesture of status damage, is just not a donation that’s made with integrity. Not all donations may be taint free, but this one would lower the tone if accepted. Mark Russell is correct.”
In Wednesday’s email, Archbishop Welby and his wife wrote: “This yr, now we have chosen to make a donation to The Children’s Society, which empowers young people by tackling the opposed conditions that prevent them from flourishing.
“It works with children affected by criminal and sexual exploitation, abuse, poverty, and neglect, in addition to young carers and refugees. Through its specialist support, wellbeing and mental health services, the Children’s Society restlessly pursues its goal of a society built for all children.”
The e-card sent by the Welby’s featured a recording of the carol “What Child is This?” performed by St Martin’s Voices, and a picture of a glass icon of the Madonna and Child which was presented to Archbishop Welby in Romania.
It also included a verse from Isaiah, together with information concerning the Children’s Society — the registered name of which is the Church of England’s Children’s Society.
In his statement, Mr Russell commented on the Makin report into the abuse of John Smyth. He said that the charity was “profoundly shocked” by the findings of the Makin report, and that the thoughts of the charity were with all survivors of abuse.
He called on the C of E to “reset its approach to safeguarding and proceed to create a safer Church and safer spaces for young people, protected by real accountability and a culture of care”.
The General Synod will resolve in February which of two models of independent safeguarding the Church of England should adopt (News, 16 December).
