You’ve probably all heard the news of the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, following the release of the Makin Report. The report asks whether there was anything the church could have done to have prevented the terrible abuse committed by Jon Smyth and what lessons could be learned. Bishop Hugh has rightly responded to the news by saying that "Our first priority is to the survivors and victims of Smyth’s abuse, and all those who find themselves powerless while powerful people choose to protect themselves rather than speaking the truth. Please hold all survivors and victims of abuse in your prayers, and please make sure your prayers become action, as we work together for a safer church."

This Sunday, 17th November is Safeguarding Sunday so it is an ideal time to reflect on our part in creating and maintaining our churches as safe spaces. This news has generated all sorts of emotions in us. Some of you may be feeling angry, some you may be feeling embarrassed or ashamed of the church or maybe it’s a complex mix of feelings that are hard to name. We are all probably trying to make sense of it and trying to discern the truth behind the headlines.

Bishop Hugh also adds "Those who carry high office carry a high responsibility. Archbishop Justin has taken his responsibility for making the church safe seriously, and has now chosen to take personal and institutional responsibility for the failures to bring Smyth to justice after 2013. Whatever your views of his decision, please keep him, his wife Caroline and his family in your prayers. His decision does not, in itself, make the church safer, and we must now all recommit ourselves to the responsibility that we each carry for making the church safe for everyone.”

Please also pray for your church leaders and the members of your PCC who have responsibility for implementing good safeguarding policy across each church. Pray too for our Parish Safeguarding Officers and all those who work with the vulnerable or children and young people. We cannot be complacent and assume that ’safeguarding’ is somehow done by other people. It is our Christian duty to show Christ’s love and care through how we relate to everyone we encounter as part of our church life.

If you would like to talk to someone about this, if you have a niggle in the back of your mind or if this story has brought something painful to the surface of your mind please tell someone. You are worth listening to and your story matters. Please speak to your Parish Safeguarding Officer or member of clergy.

Every blessing,
Rosheen