The Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon and currently Acting Bishop of Ely, responds to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury following the publication of the Makin Report.
13 November 2024
Dear Friends
Yesterday morning (12 November 2024) I wrote a pastoral letter to all clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers in the Diocese of Ely in the wake of the publication of the Makin Report, also known as the John Smyth Review, into the handling of John Smyth's acts of horrendous abuse over many years. I wrote also with reference to the task of preaching on this on this coming Safeguarding Sunday (17 November 2024).
Any of us who have read even only parts of the Report, will be sickened and saddened beyond words, also angered, both by the abuse and by the failings within our church in effective safeguarding.
For some of you, I know, the Report and its subject matter will have been personally painful, triggering memories of abuse you may have experienced yourself, and this is true also for members of our congregations.
Please bear in mind, in thought, prayer and appropriate action, those who have been harmed. If you are looking for support for yourself or someone you know, please look at the links on our website - here - about the Makin Report.
At times like this, it can be hard to be a committed member of the Church of England. This kind of moral trauma to the church's faithful servants is part of the wickedness of what has happened.
Yesterday afternoon saw the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. His decision shows the seriousness with which he takes the criticisms contained in the Report and demonstrates his willingness to take personal and institutional responsibility for the failures identified. I am grateful to him for this, as I am also conscious of his burden of leadership and his achievements over the years.
We should be clear that the Archbishop’s resignation does not alter the safeguarding challenge for the whole church. Our only proper response can be a renewed and ever more determined commitment to safeguarding, to the implementation of new recommendations, to our support of our Parish Safeguarding Officers and to our Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
This Safeguarding Sunday is a good opportunity to offer your support and commitment to the work of safeguarding in our church: specifically, to an integrated culture of safeguarding as part of what we do because it is Gospel work and a Kingdom value.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Eph 6:18)
Lord, give us your heart for those who are vulnerable, voiceless, traumatised and forgotten. Help us to value them and to nurture and protect them, and to play our part in creating safer places for all your people. In Jesus’ we pray.
Amen.
Thank you for your prayers and let us be gentle with one another to face the challenges together.
+Dagmar
The Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon and currently Acting Bishop of Ely