Church of England facing new child abuse allegations

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Archbishop accused of not reporting claims made against former dean of Manchester to police at the time

David Batty - Friday May 10 2013

The Church of England is facing a new child protection scandal after accusations that the former archbishop of York failed to report allegations of child abuse by a senior clergyman.

Lord Hope of Thornes, the former archbishop, said he stripped the Very Rev Robert Waddington, a former dean of Manchester cathedral who was once in charge of church schools, of his right to conduct church services after allegations of child abuse against him. But Hope said he did not report the matter to the police or other child protection agencies because he deemed Waddington did not pose a further risk to children.

The extent of the allegations against Waddington have emerged in a joint investigation by the Times and the Australian newspaper that uncovered internal church files showing Hope was made aware of abuse allegations in 1999 and again in 2003. The Office of the Archbishop of York confirmed it was aware of legal action by an alleged victim. Dean died in 2007. The controversy comes after a report published earlier this month, ordered by former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, warned the church risked a ticking "time bomb" if it failed to take urgent action to prevent further incidents of child abuse.

The allegations will also add to the pressure on Williams's successor, Justin Welby, who now faces the prospect of dealing with historic childhood sexual abuse in addition to rows about same-sex marriage and women bishops.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/10/church-england-child-abuse-allegations

[hrmjustin]

1. Here in the American Branch of the Church, The Episcopal Church the rules are much clearer.

CALL THE POLICE!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Yes, and anyone who works with children or youth has to attend a half-day training session

about appropriate behavior and the consequences that will ensue if they violate the rules. This applies to both clergy and lay employees and volunteers who do things like teach Sunday School.

[hrmjustin]

3. I have had to be certified to work with kid acolytes.

The Episcopal Church means business.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Sounds about right

Every so often there's an announcement of the next training session in our church bulletin.

[hrmjustin]

5. They offer classes in my parish every once in awhile.

The diocese offers it as well. The COE needs to get with it.

[wryter2000]

7. Once again, the American church is decades ahead of the English church

And they keep trying to change us. Not going to happen.

[DonCoquixote]

6. I seriously hope

That the CoE takes a look at how the Catholics handled this, and goes the opposite direction.