As part of the Past Cases Review 2 into safeguarding practice across the Church of England, Lambeth Palace has today published the summary and recommendations from the independent review of files held by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Southern Province.
In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a Past Cases Review (PCR), which was a large-scale review into its handling of child protection cases over many years. An independent scrutiny report followed which highlighted a number of shortcomings including the lack of survivor engagement. As a result, PCR2 was commissioned.
PCR2’s purpose was to identify both good and bad practice in relation to how allegations of abuse in the Church of England have been handled, and to provide recommendations so improvements can be made.
As part of PCR2, independent safeguarding experts reviewed all files held by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace for the Southern Province. The Southern Province consists of 30 dioceses. The summary and recommendations of the Lambeth Palace PCR2 report are published today.
Welcoming the Lambeth Palace PCR2 report, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “I have read the report and the 27 recommendations that go with it, and I whole-heartedly accept them and support them. I would like to thank the independent experts who undertook their work so diligently and conscientiously. There is already an action plan in place to review and monitor the progress of these important recommendations. I would like to encourage any individual who needs support to reach out for help, whether from the Safe Spaces project, an independent support service or from other organisations.”
In a joint foreword to Church of England Past Cases Review 2 project final report, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York said: “There are no possible excuses, no rationalisations for our church’s failure to share the love of God and value each and every person; our very Scriptures consistently tell us to care for the weak and vulnerable and yet, as a church, we have failed to do so. This is why we, together with the whole church, are conducting reviews, trying to learn from the past in order to construct a better future. We do so by learning from others who can help examine our lives, shine light in hidden and difficult places and acknowledge the truth and identify how we can move on.”
Read the Summary and Recommendations of the Lambeth Palace Past Cases Review 2 Project HERE.
Read the Church of England Past Cases Review 2 Project Final Report HERE.
Raising safeguarding concerns:
Anyone who would like to give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse is asked to email their Diocesan Safeguarding Team via - Diocesan safeguarding contacts | The Church of England
Support:
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces which is run by the charity Victim Support, can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. Visit their website - Safe Spaces England and Wales or telephone 0300 303 1056.