Why Did the Church Drop Its Complaint Against the New Archbishop's Abuse Case Handling?

The Church of England has decided to take no further action regarding a complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally, the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, related to her handling of an abuse case. This decision follows an acknowledgment that the complaint was not properly investigated. Dame Sarah is set to make history as the first woman to lead the Church at the end of January 2024, raising significant concerns about the Church's approach to abuse claims.

Last updated: 15 October 2023 (BST)

What’s happening now

The Church of England has officially determined not to pursue a complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally, despite her admission that the complaint against her regarding the handling of a previous abuse case was not addressed properly. The complaint, originally filed in 2020, will allow the complainant to appeal the decision made by the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell. This situation has sparked renewed scrutiny over the Church's internal processes and their effectiveness in dealing with abuse allegations.

Key takeaways

The Church of England will not take further action against Dame Sarah Mullally regarding an abuse case complaint.
Dame Sarah Mullally is set to be the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in January 2024.
The complainant has the right to appeal the decision made by the Archbishop of York.
Concerns have been raised about the internal processes of the Church regarding abuse allegations.
The Charity Commission has noted that the Church is slow in implementing safeguarding improvements.

Timeline: how we got here

The issue surrounding Dame Sarah Mullally's handling of an abuse case dates back to 2020, when a complaint was filed against her. Key dates in this timeline include:

2020: A complaint regarding the handling of an abuse case is filed against Dame Sarah Mullally.
December 2022: The Church of England acknowledges that the complaint against Mullally had not been properly investigated.
January 2023: Mullally admits that the complaint was not handled correctly but asserts that the original abuse claim was addressed.
October 2023: Dame Sarah Mullally is announced as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, with her confirmation set for January 2024.
15 October 2023: Archbishop of York decides to dismiss the complaint against Mullally.

What’s new vs what’s known

New today/this week

The latest development is the decision by the Archbishop of York not to take any further action regarding the complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally. This decision comes just weeks before her official confirmation as Archbishop of Canterbury, raising questions about the impartiality of the Church's disciplinary processes.

What was already established

It has been established that the complaint against Mullally was not properly investigated due to administrative errors and assumptions made about the complainant's wishes. The Church has recognised deficiencies in handling complaints regarding abuse, which have been a significant concern among survivors and advocates.

Impact for the UK

Consumers and households

The implications for consumers and households largely revolve around the Church's credibility and trustworthiness in handling abuse complaints. With Dame Sarah Mullally stepping into a leadership role, many are concerned about how the Church will address ongoing abuse issues and support victims adequately.

Businesses and jobs

For those involved in Church-related businesses, particularly those focusing on safeguarding and community welfare, the ongoing concerns about the Church’s handling of abuse cases could impact trust and engagement levels from the public. This lack of confidence may affect donations and community support for Church activities.

Policy and regulation

The Church's internal policies regarding safeguarding are under scrutiny, with the Charity Commission highlighting the slow pace of implementing necessary changes. This could lead to increased regulatory pressure to reform processes and ensure that they are more transparent and effective in protecting individuals from abuse.

Numbers that matter

1: The number of complaints that led to scrutiny of Dame Sarah Mullally's handling of an abuse case.
3: Weeks until Dame Sarah Mullally officially assumes her role as Archbishop of Canterbury.
2: The number of significant abuse cases that have triggered calls for accountability within the Church's hierarchy.
2025: The year when the current Archbishop, Justin Welby, is expected to step down amid ongoing criticisms.
0: The number of independent safeguarding officers currently in place, as the Church aims for improvement.

Definitions and jargon buster

CDM: Clergy Discipline Measure, a process used in the Church of England to deal with complaints against clergy members.
Safeguarding: Measures taken to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, from abuse and harm within the Church.

How to think about the next steps

Near term (0–4 weeks)

In the immediate future, stakeholders will be watching how the Church of England responds to any further inquiries or appeals regarding the decision not to pursue the complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally. The official confirmation of her as Archbishop will also draw significant attention.

Medium term (1–6 months)

Over the next few months, the Church may face increased pressure to reform its safeguarding policies and ensure a more transparent process for handling abuse complaints. This period could see the introduction of independent safeguarding officers as promised.

Signals to watch

Any announcements regarding the appeal process for the complainant against Mullally.
Updates from the Church regarding the implementation of safeguarding measures.
Public and media reactions to Dame Sarah Mullally's confirmation as Archbishop.

Practical guidance

Do

Stay informed about the Church's developments regarding safeguarding practices.
Engage with local Church communities to understand their responses to these issues.
Support initiatives aimed at improving transparency in Church processes.

Don’t

Ignore the concerns raised by abuse survivors and advocates.
Assume that the Church’s current measures are sufficient without scrutiny.
Dismiss the significance of public confidence in Church leadership.

Checklist

Review any communications from your local diocese regarding safeguarding updates.
Participate in discussions or forums about Church governance and accountability.
Monitor the Church of England's progress on implementing independent safeguarding officers.
Consider how the Church's actions may affect your community and its members.
Stay connected with groups advocating for abuse survivors within the Church.

Risks, caveats, and uncertainties

While the Church of England insists that its safeguarding processes have improved, the recent handling of the complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally raises questions about the reliability of these claims. The perception that bishops can only be judged by other bishops contributes to a lack of confidence in the Church's ability to address abuse allegations effectively. Furthermore, the ongoing appeals process and potential public outcry could influence future decisions and reforms within the Church.

Bottom line

The decision not to pursue the complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally highlights ongoing concerns about the Church of England's internal processes for handling abuse allegations. As she prepares to take on her role as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church faces a critical moment to demonstrate its commitment to reform and accountability, which will be crucial in rebuilding trust among congregants and abuse survivors alike.

FAQs

What is the complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally about?

The complaint against Dame Sarah Mullally relates to her handling of an abuse case in 2020, which was reportedly not properly investigated due to administrative errors.

When will Dame Sarah Mullally be confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury?

Dame Sarah Mullally is set to be officially confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of January 2024.

What are the implications of the Church of England's decision?

The Church's decision not to pursue the complaint raises concerns about its internal processes and the ongoing trust issues with abuse survivors and the public.