Yesterday, members of the General Synod of the Church of England voted almost unanimously (there have been two abstentions) to repent of the failures of safeguarding within the Church of England detailed within the ‘Makin Report’ and to redouble work to implement best safeguarding practice.
Keith Makin published his report last November into the “prolific, brutal and horrific” abuse by John Smyth over many a long time and two continents. The report outlined quite a few and widespread failures, and described a shocking “energetic cover up” by church officers.
A moving debate was held by the Church of England’s parliamentary body on Monday.
Bishop Julie Conalty spoke first, simply sharing 4 ‘survivor statements’ with Synod, allowing their varied experiences and voices to be heard.
Many members articulated the shock and sadness they experienced when reading the report. Ed Shaw, a lay member from Bristol, spoke of the necessity for a change in culture, a theme that was echoed by many other speakers. Mr Shaw called on all those involved within the leadership of the Church of England to interact with the work of Dr Elly Hanson, a clinical psychologist who collaborated with Mr Makin to try to understand why it took so long for John Smyth’s abuse to be made known.
“The danger,” he said, “is that we’re really good at commissioning reports, really good at debating latest structures, really good at calling for resignations but not so good on the self-examination that may result in the culture change that also desperately must happen.”
Lay member, Professor Helen King, asked General Synod to “recognise that the institutional failure to enact adequate disciplinary process implies that this and other cases cannot simply be labelled ‘historic’ as they’ve continuing effects on the lives of those victims and survivors”.
Her plea was heard, and Bishop Joanne Grenfell – the Church of England’s safeguarding lead bishop – accepted her amendment, acknowledging that although “events will not be recent, they’re real and present within the lives of victims and survivors and their effects are profound and serious”.
There was a way within the chamber that the Church of England has finally recognised the seriousness of the harm that has been done to those whose cries for help have been ignored.
Today, the General Synod could have to make decisions in regards to the way forward for safeguarding within the Church of England. As Bishop Grenfell told Synod, “We are ministering as a broken church. I’m reminding you of that work within the hope that it is going to turn into a part of the large technique of culture change during which we must all play our part.”
