Survivors of clergy abuse have reacted with fury to the archbishop of Canterbury’s suggestion that the Duke of York was “seeking to make amends” after settling a sexual assault case.
Andrew Graystone, who advocates on behalf of survivors, said: “Victims of clergy abuse have spoken to me about their shock that Justin Welby should speak about forgiveness and reconciliation when the church hasn’t begun to address its own debts.”
The Church of England had repeatedly failed to listen to victims and deal effectively with abusers, he said. “If Welby wants to discuss issues of justice, mercy and reconciliation – and if he wants to give a lead to the nation on those things – he needs to get his own church in order first.
“Welby says we should cut Prince Andrew some slack because he is ‘seeking to make amends’ for what he may have done. Where are the signs that [the C of E] is seeking to make amends for those it has grievously abused?” » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Archbishop of Canterbury suggests Prince Andrew wants to ‘make amends’: Justin Welby made comment about the duke as he asked public to be more ‘open and forgiving’ »
