UNITED KINGDOM
Archbishop of York
[with video]
Wednesday 22nd October 2014
Archbishop’s Statement On Publication of the Independent Inquiry by Her Honour Sally Cahill into the Church of England’s Response to allegations against Robert Waddington
I wish to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Judge, Her Honour Judge Sally Cahill QC, Mr Joe Cocker and Mrs Nicola Harding for the work they have done in producing this report. I also want to thank all those who gave evidence to assist the Inquiry team in coming to its conclusions.
I have already been in contact with those who gave evidence to the Inquiry regarding their alleged abuse by Robert Waddington. As I have said to them I am deeply ashamed that the Church was not vigilant enough to ensure that these things did not happen, failing both to watch and to act, where children were at serious risk.
Any act of abuse committed by someone in a position of authority in the Church is a matter for shame and requires deep repentance. We are called as individuals and corporately to a higher standard and to show God’s love and care as revealed in Jesus Christ. Those who trusted us in this only to be grievously wounded deserve not only our wholehearted apology but also the assurance we will keep a watchful eagle’s eye and act swiftly. …
At the request of some of those interviewed by the inquiry to the Archbishop of York this report will not be made available in an electronic format but in hard copy only.
Hard copies of the report are available from Bishopthorpe Palace in York and Church House Bookshop, Westminster. Copies of the report have been sent to newsdesks.
Copies of the Report for the media will be available free of charge on Wednesday 22 October. After this date, the Report will be available at a cost of £7.50 plus postage and packing.
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