The Church of England has formally apologised for its involvement in forced adoptions, acknowledging the profound suffering experienced by mothers and children separated at birth from the 1940s to the 1980s. This long-overdue statement, made by Archbishop Sarah Mullally, aims to address the deep-seated trauma and stigma that have persisted among survivors of these practices.
Acknowledging the Past
In a significant moment for the Church, Archbishop Mullally expressed deep remorse for the pain inflicted on countless individuals due to the church’s historical adoption practices. During a press conference, she 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.”
Her comments come in the wake of extensive research that revealed the church’s role in a network of institutions that facilitated the forced separation of mothers from their children. These homes, often run by Anglican, Catholic, and Salvation Army organisations, were designed to house unmarried women who were expected to give birth in secret and relinquish their babies for adoption to married couples.
Survivor Perspectives
Phil Frampton, a survivor of these institutions and a prominent campaigner, welcomed the apology as a significant milestone in the fight for justice. Born in an Anglican mother and baby home in 1953, 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.”
Although he acknowledged the importance of the church’s apology, Frampton stressed that the institution has much more to do to rectify the past. He emphasised that the church must take further steps to heal the wounds it has inflicted before it can regain any moral authority.
Criticism from Survivor Advocacy Groups
While many have expressed gratitude for the apology, some survivor organisations have voiced their disappointment. The Adult Adoptee Movement, representing individuals affected by these practices, has stated that the church has yet to offer meaningful redress or support to survivors. They argued, “The statement given by the archbishop of Canterbury today is not a meaningful apology. For many of us, engaging with the church in their apology process was distressing and retraumatising.”
The church acknowledged that its research was based on “incomplete” records and highlighted its involvement in potentially over 200 mother and baby homes. They also admitted that while their moral welfare council had guidelines advocating for the unity of mothers and babies, these were not consistently followed in practice.
A Commitment to Change
In her address, Mullally paid tribute to the bravery of survivors and the organisations advocating for their rights. She stated, “The shame you were made to feel was wrong… we are deeply ashamed that this happened to people in the care of Christian communities.” The archbishop reaffirmed the church’s commitment to listening to survivors, lamenting the injustices of the past, and learning from them to ensure that such failures are not repeated.
The church has pledged to acknowledge this painful history and work towards meaningful change in its approach to care and support for vulnerable families.
Why it Matters
The Church of England’s apology marks a pivotal moment in the long journey towards justice for survivors of forced adoptions. It shines a light on a dark chapter in the church’s history, highlighting the systemic issues that have caused untold harm to countless families. This acknowledgment is a crucial step in fostering healing and accountability, not only within the Church itself but also in wider society, as we confront the lingering effects of stigma and discrimination against unmarried mothers and their children. As discussions around social justice and historical accountability continue, this apology serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and care in all communities.