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| Church of England to apologise over George Bell abuse allegations | Church of England to apologise over George Bell abuse allegations |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Church to release conclusions of inquiry into handling of sexual abuse case. Critics say they ruined former bishop’s reputation | |
| Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent | |
| Fri 15 Dec 2017 00.21 GMT | |
| Last modified on Fri 15 Dec 2017 00.55 GMT | |
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| The Church of England is to apologise for its handling of allegations of sexual abuse against one of its most revered figures of the 20th century, which critics said had destroyed the reputation of a respected man. | The Church of England is to apologise for its handling of allegations of sexual abuse against one of its most revered figures of the 20th century, which critics said had destroyed the reputation of a respected man. |
| The church is due to make public on Friday the conclusions of an independent inquiry into the way it dealt with claims of abuse made against George Bell, the former bishop of Chichester and one of the most admired church leaders of recent times. | The church is due to make public on Friday the conclusions of an independent inquiry into the way it dealt with claims of abuse made against George Bell, the former bishop of Chichester and one of the most admired church leaders of recent times. |
| In a statement released on the eve of publication, Peter Hancock, the bishop of Bath and Wells and the C of E’s lead bishop on safeguarding, said it was clear from the report that “our processes were deficient”. “For that we apologise. Lessons can and have been learnt about how we could have managed the process better,” he said. | In a statement released on the eve of publication, Peter Hancock, the bishop of Bath and Wells and the C of E’s lead bishop on safeguarding, said it was clear from the report that “our processes were deficient”. “For that we apologise. Lessons can and have been learnt about how we could have managed the process better,” he said. |
| The inquiry, led by Lord Carlile, was commissioned last year after a vigorous campaign by Bell’s supporters who said the church had “condemned as a paedophile” someone who could not refute the claims against him and on the basis of one person’s testimony. Bell died in 1958. | The inquiry, led by Lord Carlile, was commissioned last year after a vigorous campaign by Bell’s supporters who said the church had “condemned as a paedophile” someone who could not refute the claims against him and on the basis of one person’s testimony. Bell died in 1958. |
| The George Bell Group, established to defend the late bishop’s reputation, accused the church of failing to properly investigate the claims. “The valuable reputation of a great man, a rare example of self-sacrificing human goodness, has been carelessly destroyed on the basis of slender evidence, sloppily investigated,” it said. | The George Bell Group, established to defend the late bishop’s reputation, accused the church of failing to properly investigate the claims. “The valuable reputation of a great man, a rare example of self-sacrificing human goodness, has been carelessly destroyed on the basis of slender evidence, sloppily investigated,” it said. |
| Bell’s supporters pointed to his record of championing the oppressed and denouncing as inhumane Britain’s carpet-bombing of German cities in the second world war. | Bell’s supporters pointed to his record of championing the oppressed and denouncing as inhumane Britain’s carpet-bombing of German cities in the second world war. |
| Lord Carlile is believed to have delivered his report to the C of E more than two months ago. The church said its delay in publication was due to the “intensive process” of liaising with those involved, in particular the complainant known as “Carol”. | Lord Carlile is believed to have delivered his report to the C of E more than two months ago. The church said its delay in publication was due to the “intensive process” of liaising with those involved, in particular the complainant known as “Carol”. |
| However, a report in Friday’s Daily Telegraph – which appeared to be based on a briefing rather than actual sight of the report – prompted the church to release statements from Hancock and the current bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, who issued the formal apology to Carol in 2015. | However, a report in Friday’s Daily Telegraph – which appeared to be based on a briefing rather than actual sight of the report – prompted the church to release statements from Hancock and the current bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, who issued the formal apology to Carol in 2015. |
| Hancock said: “At the heart of this case was a judgment, on the balance of probabilities, as to whether, in the event that her claim for compensation reached trial, a court would have concluded that Carol was abused by Bishop Bell. The church decided to compensate Carol, to apologise and to be open about the case.” | Hancock said: “At the heart of this case was a judgment, on the balance of probabilities, as to whether, in the event that her claim for compensation reached trial, a court would have concluded that Carol was abused by Bishop Bell. The church decided to compensate Carol, to apologise and to be open about the case.” |
| Carlile’s report had concluded that in cases where settlement was made without the admission of liability, a confidentiality provision should be included, Hancock said. | Carlile’s report had concluded that in cases where settlement was made without the admission of liability, a confidentiality provision should be included, Hancock said. |
| But he added: “Respectfully, we differ from that judgment. The church is committed to transparency. We would look at each case on its merits but generally would seek to avoid confidentiality clauses. | But he added: “Respectfully, we differ from that judgment. The church is committed to transparency. We would look at each case on its merits but generally would seek to avoid confidentiality clauses. |
| “It is clear from the report, however, that our processes were deficient in a number of respects, in particular the process for seeking to establish what may have happened. For that we apologise. Lessons can and have been learnt about how we could have managed the process better.” | “It is clear from the report, however, that our processes were deficient in a number of respects, in particular the process for seeking to establish what may have happened. For that we apologise. Lessons can and have been learnt about how we could have managed the process better.” |
| He also said: “The church has always affirmed and treasured Bishop Bell’s principled stand in the second world war and his contribution to peace remains extraordinary. At same time, we have a duty and commitment to listen to those reporting abuse, to guard their confidentiality, and to protect their interests. | He also said: “The church has always affirmed and treasured Bishop Bell’s principled stand in the second world war and his contribution to peace remains extraordinary. At same time, we have a duty and commitment to listen to those reporting abuse, to guard their confidentiality, and to protect their interests. |
| “We recognise that Carol has suffered pain, as have surviving relatives of Bishop Bell. We are sorry that the church has added to that pain through its handling of this case.” | “We recognise that Carol has suffered pain, as have surviving relatives of Bishop Bell. We are sorry that the church has added to that pain through its handling of this case.” |
| Warner said: “We welcome Lord Carlile’s assessment of our processes, and apologise for failures in the work of the core group of national and diocesan officers and its inadequate attention to the rights of those who are dead. We also accept the report’s recognition that we acted in good faith, and improvements to core group protocols are already in place.” | Warner said: “We welcome Lord Carlile’s assessment of our processes, and apologise for failures in the work of the core group of national and diocesan officers and its inadequate attention to the rights of those who are dead. We also accept the report’s recognition that we acted in good faith, and improvements to core group protocols are already in place.” |
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