I wanted to follow up on my statement and letters earlier this month which came in the wake of the Makin report’s publication and the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Too often in the past, when a shocking report has been released and we have promised to learn lessons and do better, it can appear that we say the right things but then seek to move on.

The purpose of this statement is for me to reiterate that I recognise that many in our churches and in our communities continue to have strong feelings about what has been revealed, as do I. I want you to know that we take this and our responsibility to implement change around Safeguarding very seriously.

The reality is that this sort of change will take time, but we are absolutely committed to it. We are listening, learning, reviewing, developing and seeking wisdom so that we can always respond appropriately. In this Diocese we have come a long way on our safeguarding journey and the work of people in local churches has enabled this shift. However, we cannot lose focus and there is a danger that the recent disclosures will obscure the very good work that is happening at a local level, enabled by dedicated and generous clergy, ministers, PSOs and volunteers.

Thanks to the work of our Diocesan Safeguarding team and valued colleagues in the parishes, we have procedures and processes in place which make our churches safer places. We must never be complacent, and people must know that they will be listened to, taken seriously and the appropriate action taken. It is not just about processes and procedures but foremost about an attitude of the heart whereby the protection of people is part of our gospel imperative. This is, to put it bluntly, about being a place where people not only hear about the life changing, life giving, healing hope of God in Christ, but also experience it through the witness of others. God has a particular heart for those who are vulnerable, and so must we.

The Bishop’s Leadership Team met this week to discuss the Makin and Scolding reports (the Scolding Report was released earlier in the Autumn in relation to Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor). Our conversation reflected on the horrors of what had been allowed to happen. It also enabled us, as a team, to review our current Safeguarding culture, and how we keep victims and survivors as our primary focus. There are recommendations in the reports that we can and will implement at a Diocesan level now. Our INEQE audit - a full and thorough external review of our practice - concludes in January and we are eager to learn from that and let it further inform and improve our work and culture.

Of course, doing these things will not, by themselves, be enough because it is about a constant commitment to building a healthy and safe culture for all. That isn’t about making a place where there is no disagreement or where there is no challenge. After all, that would be neither safe nor healthy. But it is about being a place where anyone feels and knows they can come and find the love and reconciliation of God.

We commit to being transparent with you about what we are doing and why, and to be accountable for it. Please pray for us in this as we continue to pray for all you do to make our churches safer places for everyone.

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.