Surviving the Church: Restoring Hope to Your Faith

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Ms Atkinson’s resignation comes at the conclusion of a process of contractually “enforced conciliation” – an oxymoron – which was never likely to have a happy outcome after eight months of estrangement seasoned with findings of adverse data mishandling by the Chair. Survivors were reporting a loss of confidence in her, and one can hardly be surprised that the Survivor Advocate Jasvinder Sanghera took their concerns very seriously. Without survivor confidence the ISB is incapable of functioning properly. I also think that this needs to be done sooner rather than later, whilst the political reverberations of IICSA continue to resound in Westminster and Whitehall. In year or two’s time the policymaking caravan might well have moved on, and IICSA will have joined the mountain of other largely forgotten government reports. I have my own definite views about this appointment, which I had better keep to myself. In happier times it might have been a suitable one. Personally, I think it would have been better to keep the deanery vacant until Mr Grieve had reported. I should add that Mr Grieve is a sincere Anglican (and was close to Vivian Green).

But in the Church of England’s safeguarding structure we now have a Lead bishop perceived as silent to the harm and re-abuse being done to survivors on an almost daily basis; a bishop who seems to have decided the best course of action with this critical portion of a portfolio is to stay hidden beneath the mantle of the structure and hope the three years passes her by with little to no impact. There’s a rather more sinister possibility: perhaps the bishop has been instructed to follow this course. We recognise the continuing need to reflect, learn and develop understanding in all corners of the Church about safeguarding and what is needed to protect, respond and support those who may be vulnerable. I have asked for a major investigation like the police are doing and every Diocese and Parish Safeguarding Advisors in the Church of England are re-vetted, and, incompetent Diocese and Parish safeguarding advisors are removed from being able to practice. Well, the thanks is really for you Ms Stein, and to your colleagues, for the substantive efforts you have made!

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There are several known complaints against the Secretary General from survivor victims none of whose grievances appear to quite to fit within the parameters of those NCI complaint policies which have been ascertained. Readers of this blog will recognise the signs and symptoms of narcissism. Individuals with severe narcissistic personalities in leadership have had plenty of exposure on this and the other side of the Pond. I need not name examples, except to note that despite continuing uncovering of significant moral and other failures, they still believe wholeheartedly in their own narrative and are not dissuaded in carrying on their crusades to regaining power whatsoever. I have asked Bishop Joanne to remove a couple of Diocese Safeguarding Advisors from being able to work in the Church of England, and, to refer them to the Disclosure and Barring Service, she refused to speak to me on the telephone but I had to speak to Debi Tony, and, I have asked them to resolve some issues, and they have covered this up. Immediately after meeting with the Jay Review, I briefly attended the Clergy Conduct Measure Revision committee and gave them a heads-up on this model of Safeguarding. Having read the new draft new Measure it is clear to me that it has – not unreasonably – been drawn in the context of a ‘business as usual’ model. As such, there will be an election for the vacancy for a southern suffragan in the House of Bishops. Of course, it is open to anyone eligible to put their name forward for this election and any southern suffragan bishop is free to do so. However, may I encourage you to reflect on whether it may be preferable for Bishop Joanne to be able to take the place on the House of Bishops, so that she may be part of the House and the General Synod in her role for Lead Bishop for Safeguarding.

The only way I can rationalise the behaviour of the AC is that it’s a deliberate provocation to attempt to force Jasvinder & Steve to resign in protest, so that the current partial neutering of the ISB that the AC has achieved will then be converted into a complete destruction of any effective ISB. Jane Chevous, a ‘survivor’ member of the NSP, who was also interviewed by Ed Stourton on the ‘Sunday’ programme, said this about Ms Munn’s appointment: After the Hillsborough disaster Bishop James Jones (then of Liverpool) successfully championed families whose questions had to be answered. In the Countess of Chester/Lucy Letby case Bishop Sarah Mulally championed transparency and accountability – in the Church of England we continue to abuse our victims and complainants. Is the CofE utterly hypocritical? You decide.A related question: who approached the five suffragan bishops who failed to be elected in 2021 to ask/persuade them ‘graciously’ to step aside? Was that William Nye or, if not him, who? I have also asked that in the light of the Soul Survivor Festival scandal, that every Church of England festival in the United Kingdom, every Christian retreat, church away day, have a major safeguarding review to ensure that no other scandals come out of the Church of England. I should like to respond to those who have suggested involving ” a few well chosen M.P.s” From personal experience this would be an excellent idea but definitely ‘well chosen’, involving people who understand the situation. If you read the terms of the announcement – and we must now be clear that the news management is largely in the hands of the CofE Communications Department – it was all very respectful and amicable; evidently the Chair was leaving partly to spend more time with her family. If you believe this is the top and tail of the story, I have a lovely bridge in New York to sell you – ‘real cheap.” Isn’t your first point answered by the active involvement of the Charity Commission? The issue of an official warning to Christ Church reminding all trustees of their duties and potential personal liability, plus the Commission’s scrutiny of the latest accounts which are to be filed shortly, together with Dominic Grieve’s review, should surely militate against anything similar happening again.

Many thanks, as ever. Being bishop of Stepney used to be a really Big Thing. Winnington-Ingram and Lang were preferred to London having done their punishment tour in the role. I know that the East End is not what it was, and the Church has faded dramatically in that area, but I would have thought being at Stepney would still be hard enough to be incompatible with any other role. I for one pray that Jasvinder & Steve will not be provoked into resigning, tempting though that must be to them The Ordinary of the Cathedral and Visitor of the Cathedral Chapter should become the Bishop of Oxford, with the Bishop fully involved in the appointment of all future Deans;Dr. Rebecca Brown’s book mentioned exposes the occult, and Battle Hymn by Secura/Phillips along with Marketing of Evil by Kupelian. I would not concentrate on it. Three great written works on; be aware of though. Go after God/JesusHoly Spirit and his Glory etc. More later. the families and friends of those who have experienced church-based abuse and are living with the consequences