Campaign Group Says Church Apology Is Inappropriate

The Itv
July 7, 2013

http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2013-07-07/campaign-group-says-church-apology-is-inapproriate/

[Stop Church Child Abuse]

The Church of England General Synod met in York today to discuss whether to offer an apology to survivors of clergy sex abuse.

The group 'Stop Church Child Abuse Campaign' said an apology is inappropriate until the church reveals the extent of abuse by clergy. It said:

The survivors of abuse should be central to this process. Instead we are being denied the opportunity to speak personally at the Synod. Our voices should be heard at this and every other debate on responding to survivors.

We still do not know how many victims of abuse are known to the church. The church has not identified who the victims are. Only a commitment from the church to call on the Government for a public inquiry to find the facts and then apologise directly to the victims of abuse would be an acceptable response at this stage. Recompense and support will also be essential.