Church Abuse

Highlight continuing safeguarding failures by the Church of England and its Archbishops’ Council

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Hot Topics
  • 3 February 2026 | Delay and control: the problems with the Archbishops’ Council’s safeguarding plans
  • 31 January 2026 | Archbishop Stephen Cottrell says he has been cleared — but the Tudor case is still under review
  • 30 January 2026 | Authority invoked, lessons avoided: what the Archbishop of York’s statement still fails to confront
  • 30 January 2026 | Stephen Cottrell’s own words — and why they fail basic safeguarding and legal tests
  • 29 January 2026 | When “No Case To Answer” means no accountability: Why the Tudor decision exposes a safeguarding system beyond repair
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell in gold robes and mitre addressing a congregation, as he is surrounded by seated bishops and clergy

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog 16 December 2024

(Yet Another) Mis-Statement from the Archbishop of York

Responding to BBC’s File on Four expose, Stephen Cottrell can’t resist his natural impulse to lie about Church of England safeguarding.


Logo of the ISB-11: the logo contains the text ISB 11 in black on a white background, next to a black-bordered white box containing 11 circles.

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog 7 December 2024

An open letter from the ISB-11 to the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell

The ISB-11 wrote an open letter to the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. A response was promised within two days. Two weeks later, they are still waiting.


The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby gives his valedictory speech in the House of Lords

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog, Parliament 7 December 2024

Archbishop Justin Welby and that House of Lords valedictory speech

The lack of thought given to victims and survivors is proof that Church of England leaders still do not understand their safeguarding crisis.


A computer-generated render of a bishop in purple robes and mitre standing in long grass

Archbishops' Council, Blog, General Synod 3 December 2024

Church of England announces response to Makin review: kick it into the long grass

The Archbishops’ Council’s response to the Makin review on John Smyth’s abuse is one of delays and lack of urgency.


The Archbishop of Canterbury addressing peers from the Lords Spiritual benches.

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog, Parliament 29 November 2024

Petition: Remove the automatic right of bishops to sit in the House of Lords

By refusing to act in a moral way, the Church of England bishops, as a group, have abrogated their automatic right to seats in the House of Lords.


A composite image showing head and shoulder photographs of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Lord President of the Council, Lucy Powell, Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Lord Speaker Lord McFall of Alcluith, and Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Lisa Nandy. The image also shows the crest of the Church Commissioners for England on a purple background.

Archbishops' Council, Church Commissioners, Parliament 29 November 2024

An open letter to the State Office Holders who are Church Commissioners

The Church of England is not a safe place. Bishops are protected by a system that silences victims and survivors of church-related abuse.


An artistic rendering of a bishop's mitre

Archbishops' Council, Blog 24 November 2024

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – except bishops, obviously

Why is action only being taken against priests? What about the bishops criticised in the Makin Review?


Charity Commission logo in blue on a white background, featuring a "crown" and the words "Charity Commission for England and Wales"

Archbishops' Council, Blog, Charity Commission 22 November 2024

An open letter to the Chair and Chief Executive of the Charity Commission

The question that I, and many others I am in contact with, want answered is this: Why on earth has the Charity Commission not launched a formal statutory inquiry into the working of the Archbishops’ Council and its safeguarding failings?


The chamber of the House of Commons

Archbishops' Council, Blog, Church Commissioners 20 November 2024

Church of England refuses to answer Parliamentary questions on safeguarding

“It is not the practice of the Church Commissioners to disclose expenditure on [bishops’ legal] costs”


Head and shoulders photo of Mr William Nye LVO standing outside Church House in Westminster

Archbishops' Council, Blog, General Synod 18 November 2024

Open letter to William Nye, Archbishops’ Council’s Secretary General

With you at the helm, the Church of England has become a more dangerous place. It will not, and can not, improve its safeguarding with you at the helm.


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© 2025 Gavin Drake. All rights reserved

Recent Posts

  • Delay and control: the problems with the Archbishops’ Council’s safeguarding plans
  • Archbishop Stephen Cottrell says he has been cleared — but the Tudor case is still under review
  • Authority invoked, lessons avoided: what the Archbishop of York’s statement still fails to confront
  • Stephen Cottrell’s own words — and why they fail basic safeguarding and legal tests
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