York Inquiry Finds "Systematic Failure" over Abuse

By Madeleine Davies
Church Times
October 23, 2014

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/24-october/news/uk/york-inquiry-finds-systematic-failure-over-abuse

IN 1999, after receiving allegations of sexual abuse by a priest in his province, Lord Hope, then Archbishop of York, wrote a letter of apology, aware that "this whole business will have caused you deep disquiet and distress and a considerable degree of sadness and pain."

The letter was sent not to the survivor, but to the abusive priest. On Wednesday, it was published as part of a strongly critical report on the Church's response to allegations of abuse against the priest, the former Dean of Manchester, the late Robert Waddington. It details how the failure to implement policies meant that victims were denied an opportunity to see their abuser brought to justice.

The report is the result of an inquiry commissioned last year by the present Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu (News, 17 May 2013), after a joint investigation by The Times in London and The Australian newspaper in Sydney had revealed allegations against Waddington dating back decades.

The inquiry, led by Sally Cahill QC, concludes: "Irrespective of the policies in force, there was a systemic failure: appropriate referrals would not have taken place . . . because the decision-making was in the hands of those not qualified or sufficiently experienced in child protection to make those decisions."

On Wednesday, Dr Sentamu, who has visited all the victims living in the UK, said he was "deeply ashamed that the Church was not vigilant enough". There was a need for "deep repentance".