UNTED KINGDOM
Telegraph
The Church of England is expected to vote today on whether to make an historic apology to victims of sexual abuse, as the Archbishop of Canterbury considers setting up the church’s first commission on abuse.
By Claire Carter 07 Jul 2013
Archbishop Justin Welby and the Archbishop of York John Sentamu have issued a joint statement ahead of today’s debate at the General Synod in which they urge church members to support an ‘unreserved apology’ to victims of clerical sexual abuse.
The church is also set to overhaul its procedures in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse.
The vote is due to take place this afternoon. A motion urges the Synod to “endorse the Archbishops’ statement expressing on behalf of the Church of England an unreserved apology for the failure of its systems to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by its clergy and others, and for the failure to listen properly to those so abused.”
The vote follows convictions of clergy who abused scores of victims and the arrest of former Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball on suspicion of eight sex offences against eight boys and young men.
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