The Church of England’s governing body has rejected a fully independent safeguarding model for dealing with abuse cases.
Synod members instead adopted an alternative model, which was described as a “way forward in the short term” ahead of a move to full independence in the future.
But Andrew Graystone, a victim and survivors’ advocate, said the decision was a “punch in the gut for victims and survivors of church abuse” and accused church leaders of “shocking arrogance”.
The vote comes in the wake of the resignation of the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby over his handling of a prolific abuser and questions about Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell’s handling of another case.
The Church has faced criticism for its handling of child abuse cases spanning decades.
Prof Alexis Jay – who led a national inquiry into child abuse – and barrister Sarah Wilkinson carried out reviews of safeguarding measures and the synod was expected to vote on the models proposed by both experts.
However, following an amendment, the Prof Jay-backed model – which proposed a safeguarding body entirely independent of the Church – was not voted on at all, and the Wilkinson proposal was adopted.
That will see the creation of an independent central safeguarding team for the Church – but with diocesan and cathedral safeguarding officers continuing in the same roles.
The alternative model would have also made the Church’s safeguarding officers around the country part of that independent body, independent of church organisations.
Earlier, Prof Jay had said the Church risked falling further into crisis if it failed to adopt the more independent system for keeping people safe.
Commenting on the model adopted by the synod after the vote, Mr Graystone said: “If you are abused by a vicar, you will still be expected to report it to a bishop.
“Safeguarding staff will still be located in church offices, employed by the very same bishop.
“The Church of England had an opportunity to start to rebuild trust, by admitting that it needed expertise from outside. But instead they have chosen to keep it in the family.”
