New archbishop of Canterbury pledges to rebuild trust in church’s handling of abuse | Sarah Mullally

The new archbishop of Canterbury has vowed to rebuild trust and confidence in the Church of England’s efforts to tackle abuse of children and vulnerable adults, saying it has “fallen tragically short” in the past.

Sarah Mullally told a meeting of the General Synod, the C of E’s governing body, that “appropriate independence” would be central to the way the church dealt with allegations of abuse while she served as archbishop. The C of E has been criticized for its handling of allegations of abuse and complaints about its internal handling of such allegations.

Mullally, who took over the de facto leadership of the church 14 months after his predecessor Justin Welby resigned over significant failures to deal with a high-profile abuse case, was greeted with applause and cheers by synod members in London on Tuesday.

Welby resigned after a damning report into the activities of John Smyth, a former solicitor who sadistically beat boys and young men, found Welby did not act properly after being told about allegations of abuse in 2013.

Mullally told the meeting that conservation is “a fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility, sharpened by our past failures and shaped by the work we still have to do.” He said he was committed to “an approach of serious seriousness and focused direction to all matters of conservation in all contexts in the church.” Victims and survivors will be “at the center of everything we do.”

He added: “We have too often failed to recognize or take seriously all abuses of power. Robust and transparent processes are central to the health of any institution: appropriate processes for appointments, clear guidelines on conduct and a good process for dealing with concerns, complaints and reports.”

“Progress has been made, but we are still not complacent. We must be fully committed to listening to victims and survivors and providing timely and robust processes that are trauma-informed. We must always be willing to let the light shine in our actions and decisions. Only through openness and honesty can we begin to rebuild trust and confidence.”

Following the announcement of his elevation to archbishop last year, it was revealed that Mullally was accused of improperly handling a complaint against a priest in London in 2020 and that the allegation was not adequately investigated. Last month, C of E says it will take no further action relevant.

Mullally said he was honored to be called to serve as archbishop of Canterbury and was aware of the “great weight of responsibility” it carries. He was “overwhelmed by the encouragement, prayers and support of countless people both here and around the world.” [global] Anglican communion”.

While a significant proportion of Anglicans in the UK and around the world still oppose the ordination of women as priests, it cannot be assumed that the global church’s first female leader will be supported.

Former NHS chief nursing officer Mullally told the synod: “As a shepherd I will try to be calm, consistent and compassionate towards everyone.” He said his Christian vocation led him to become a nurse, then a priest, then a bishop and now an archbishop. “The theme that ran through all of these parts of my life was washing feet, serving and caring for others.”

The church, he said, must “flex its muscles of hope” in “the seemingly impossible situations we see in the world around us.” “We should not deny the challenges ahead – inequality and injustice, the volatility of global politics, the climate crisis and more – but instead say with confidence that God is among us.”