In a significant move, the Church of England has formally apologised for its involvement in the forced adoptions that took place across the UK from the 1940s to the 1980s. This long-overdue acknowledgment comes as a response to the suffering endured by countless mothers and their children, who were separated under distressing circumstances. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, expressed deep regret for the trauma inflicted on those affected, highlighting the church’s complicity in a system that perpetuated stigma and isolation.
Acknowledging Past Wrongs
The apology was delivered during a press conference on Thursday, where Mullally stated, “We are profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced, and still carried, by many people because of historical adoption practices in homes affiliated to the Church of England.” This statement highlights the significant emotional weight carried by those who were forced to relinquish their children, often without adequate support or choice.
The Church of England was involved in a network of mother and baby homes that operated alongside similar institutions run by the Catholic Church and the Salvation Army. These establishments were designed for unmarried women to give birth in secret, only to be pressured into giving up their babies for adoption. Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of abuse, neglect, and lifelong trauma stemming from these experiences.
Voices of Survivors
Phil Frampton, a survivor of the Rosemundy mother and baby home in Cornwall, welcomed the apology as a historic victory for those affected. Born in 1953 to parents in a mixed-heritage relationship, Frampton remarked, “The apology is a huge and historic victory for all those unmarried mothers and their children who had committed no crime but were persecuted by the church.” While he acknowledged the importance of this step, he emphasised that the church must undertake further actions to rectify the harm caused in order to regain any semblance of moral authority.
However, not all survivors feel satisfied with the church’s apology. The Adult Adoptee Movement, representing many individuals impacted by these historical practices, expressed discontent, stating that there has been “no offer of redress or support.” They accused the church of downplaying its role in these injustices and described the apology as insufficient. “For many of us, engaging with the church in their apology process was distressing and retraumatising,” the organisation noted.
An Incomplete History
The Church of England’s apology follows a research initiative that aimed to uncover the extent of its involvement in forced adoptions. The church admitted to being involved in over 200 homes, with the number of mothers and children affected likely in the tens of thousands. While the church claimed that its moral welfare council had always advocated for mothers and babies to remain together, it acknowledged that this principle was not consistently upheld in practice.
Mullally reiterated the church’s commitment to understanding this painful history, stating, “We are deeply ashamed that this happened to people in the care of Christian communities.” She highlighted the societal attitudes that allowed such practices to flourish, characterised by a preference for secrecy and respectability over compassion and care.
A Path Forward
In light of this apology, the Church of England has pledged to listen to survivors, learn from their experiences, and ensure that such historical injustices are acknowledged and addressed in meaningful ways. Mullally concluded her remarks with a commitment to foster change, saying, “Our commitment now is to listen, to lament and to learn – to acknowledge this history … and to ensure that this leads to change.”
Why it Matters
This apology marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing reckoning with historical injustices within religious institutions. Acknowledging the pain caused by forced adoptions not only provides a sense of validation for survivors but also highlights the need for systemic change within organisations that have historically wielded significant influence. As society moves toward greater accountability, the Church of England’s commitment to acknowledging its past may inspire other institutions to confront their own histories, fostering a culture of transparency and compassion that prioritises the well-being of all individuals.
