Church Abuse

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

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Hot Topics
  • 1 March 2026 | 40 years on from the Ealing vicarage attack, Jill Saward’s ‘Rape My Story’ republished with new foreword and afterword
  • 3 March 2026 | Safeguarding “direction of travel” is not a destination
  • 2 March 2026 | Parliament is being asked to approve a disciplinary system it is not allowed to see
  • 17 February 2026 | Why does the Church of England describe child abuse as an “intimate sexual relationship”?
  • 11 February 2026 | The real Clergy Conduct Measure is still behind the curtain
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell in gold robes and mitre addressing a congregation, as he is surrounded by seated bishops and clergy

Archbishops' Council, Blog, Fine Words 17 January 2025

Shhh!  Silence from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

The opportunity remains: Archbishop Cottrell, will you act on your words and promise of accountability or not?


Marsha de Cordova MP wearing a red jacket holding a folder as she speaks in the House of Commons

Blog, Church Commissioners, Parliament 17 January 2025

Safeguarding: Second Church Estates Commissioner holds Church of England feet to the fire

Marsha de Cordova is happy to speak off script. She won’t accept everything she’s told. She’ll be a challenge, as well as a mouthpiece.


Archbishops' Council, Blog, General Synod 15 January 2025

The General Synod and Safeguarding – a look ahead to February’s Group of Sessions

Safeguarding will run through the February meeting of the General Synod like the word “Blackpool” runs through a stick of seaside rock.


An illustration of a group of people walking in a forest under the banner "walk the talk"

Archbishops' Council, Blog, Charity Commission, Church Commissioners, Ecclesiastical, General Synod 9 January 2025

An open letter to the Most Revd and Right Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

If your commitment to becoming an accountable church is more than “fine words”, you should have no problem answering my questions.


The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell wearing a purple clerical shirt and dog collar with a suit

Bishops, Blog 5 January 2025

Archbishop of York: “Don’t be a shouty campaigner on safeguarding – we don’t listen to the shouty people”

The Archbishop of York can choose to ignore me and others; but if the Church had listened. perhaps Justin Welby wouldn’t be standing down.


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 4 January 2025

Charity Commission responds to open letter on Church of England safeguarding fiasco

As the Charity Commission refuses to properly hold the Archbishops’ Council to account, now is the time for a full public statutory inquiry.


The Archbishop of York wearing golden robes as he preaches a sermon in York Minster

Bishops, Blog, Fine Words 27 December 2024

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell’s “fine words” with no action

Stephen Cottrell, channelling the spirit of Eliza “Do Little” – Don’t just talk about justice… Show us.


An AI-generated image of a bishop in front of a lecturn, with a pinnochio type nose

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog 22 December 2024

Does the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, suffer from pseudologia mythomania?

Cottrell didn’t do the right thing, because if he did the right thing, he’d have to tell the truth, something we know he has a problem with.


an AI-generated image of a suited charity worker handing money back to a robed bishop

Archbishops' Council, Bishops, Blog, Charity Commission 21 December 2024

Church of England safeguarding: Children’s Society is wrong to refuse Justin Welby’s donation

A call for Justin Welby, Stephen Cottrell and William Nye to resign their posts is not a call for them to be shunned.


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.


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© 2025 Gavin Drake. All rights reserved

Recent Posts

  • Safeguarding “direction of travel” is not a destination
  • Parliament is being asked to approve a disciplinary system it is not allowed to see
  • 40 years on from the Ealing vicarage attack, Jill Saward’s ‘Rape My Story’ republished with new foreword and afterword
  • Why does the Church of England describe child abuse as an “intimate sexual relationship”?
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