Child abuse inquiry: 'collusion and cover-up' rife among C of E clergy

The independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has heard a “catalogue of lamentable failures” by the Church of England over the past three weeks, including cover-up, conspiracy and the burning of documents, its presiding panel was told.

If the church was a school, “it would have been closed down a long time ago”, David Greenwood, a lawyer representing survivors, said on the final day of three weeks of hearings focusing on abuse in the diocese of Chichester.

The C of E had proved itself “incapable of self-governance in the care of children”, he added. He urged independent oversight of safeguarding and for the reporting of allegations and disclosures of abuse to be made mandatory.

Evidence had been given of “collusion and cover-up among clergy”, and the inquiry heard that abusers were a “tribe” who looked out for one another, he said.

In his closing statement, Richard Scorer, another lawyer representing survivors, said the hearings had been the first opportunity for his clients to be properly heard.

Although the inquiry had focused on abuse in Chichester, perpetrators existed in every diocese, he said. “These offenders are everywhere.”

The C of E had “deep-seated cultural and structural problems” regarding safeguarding, and “changing that will take generations”.

He also called for independent oversight and mandatory reporting. An independent body must have “the power to enforce action over the heads of bishops,” he added.

When considering big changes in society over the past few decades, such as protecting minorities from discrimination or dealing with drink-driving, “what embedded them in the culture, and normalised them in the culture … was the fact of some legal compulsion, the fact there was a legal consequence if you didn’t do it”.

Addressing the panel, he said: “Survivors that you have heard from in these hearings have lost years of their lives trying to challenge the church and get the church to change, and it would be a tragedy if another generation of survivors have to undergo that same experience. So we urge you to act and put in place effective measures to ensure this never happens again.”

Nigel Giffin QC, the lead counsel for the C of E, reiterated the “unqualified apology” for the church’s failures issued by Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, when giving evidence earlier this week.

Giffin acknowledged “reluctance or outright failure” to report abuse, and a church culture of blaming other people for shortcomings. Apologies must be followed through with action, he added.

The inquiry will convene again in July to examine the church’s handling of abuse by Peter Ball, the former bishop of Lewes who was jailed in 2015.