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Methodist Church in Britain apologises for historical abuse Methodist Church in Britain apologises for historical abuse
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The Methodist Church in Britain has apologised for failing to protect children and adults after an investigation uncovered nearly 2,000 reports of physical and sexual abuse within the institution dating to 1950.The Methodist Church in Britain has apologised for failing to protect children and adults after an investigation uncovered nearly 2,000 reports of physical and sexual abuse within the institution dating to 1950.
The MCB, which published the findings of the independent inquiry on Thursday, said it wanted to be open about the past and to have stronger safeguarding procedures in the future.The MCB, which published the findings of the independent inquiry on Thursday, said it wanted to be open about the past and to have stronger safeguarding procedures in the future.
Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, general secretary of the Methodist Conference, said: “On behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain, I want to express an unreserved apology for the failure of its current and earlier processes fully to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by some ministers in Full Connexion and members of the Methodist Church. That abuse has been inflicted by some Methodists on children, young people and adults is and will remain a deep source of grief and shame to the church.” Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, its general secretary and secretary of the Methodist Conference, said: “On behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain, I want to express an unreserved apology for the failure of its current and earlier processes fully to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by some ministers in Full Connexion and members of the Methodist Church. That abuse has been inflicted by some Methodists on children, young people and adults is and will remain a deep source of grief and shame to the church.”
He described it as “deeply regrettable” that the church had “not always listened properly to those abused” nor had it always cared for them. “In respect of these things we have, as a Christian church, clearly failed to live in ways that glorify God and honour Christ,” he said. “I am certain that the Methodist Conference will want to resolve to do all in its power to improve its systems to protect children, young people and adults from abuse within the life of the church and on church premises, and to review them diligently on a regular basis.”He described it as “deeply regrettable” that the church had “not always listened properly to those abused” nor had it always cared for them. “In respect of these things we have, as a Christian church, clearly failed to live in ways that glorify God and honour Christ,” he said. “I am certain that the Methodist Conference will want to resolve to do all in its power to improve its systems to protect children, young people and adults from abuse within the life of the church and on church premises, and to review them diligently on a regular basis.”
The inquiry – which took three years to complete and was led by Jane Stacey, former deputy chief executive of Barnardo’s children’s charity – considered all safeguarding cases for which there were written records and those recalled from memory by ministers and members of the church. These included cases that occurred within a church context as well as those reported to the church as a matter of pastoral concern, but which occurred away from the church. The inquiry – which took three years to complete and was led by Jane Stacey, a former deputy chief executive of Barnardo’s children’s charity – considered all safeguarding cases for which there were written records and those recalled from memory by ministers and members of the church. These included cases that occurred within a church context as well as those reported to the church as a matter of pastoral concern, but which occurred away from the church.
In each identified case, the MCB’s response was reviewed on whether it had been safe, pastorally appropriate and compliant with legislation and policy. Where possible and appropriate, cases have been referred to the police or other remedial action has been taken.In each identified case, the MCB’s response was reviewed on whether it had been safe, pastorally appropriate and compliant with legislation and policy. Where possible and appropriate, cases have been referred to the police or other remedial action has been taken.
The MCB said the aim of conducting the review and writing the report was “to learn the lessons of the past so that safeguarding work within the Methodist church is of the highest possible standard and the church is safe for all”. The church said the aim of conducting the review and writing the report was “to learn the lessons of the past so that safeguarding work within the Methodist Church is of the highest possible standard and the church is safe for all”.
The inquiry identified 1,885 cases, which included sexual, physical, emotional and domestic abuse as well as neglect. In approximately a quarter of these cases, 26%, church ministers or lay employees were identified as the perpetrators or alleged perpetrators. In 61 of these cases there was contact with the police and there are six ongoing police investigations as a result. The inquiry identified 1,885 cases, which included sexual, physical, emotional and domestic abuse as well as neglect. In about a quarter of these cases, 26%, church ministers or lay employees were identified as the perpetrators or alleged perpetrators. In 61 of these cases there was contact with the police and there are six ongoing police investigations as a result.