Calls for Archbishop to resign over safeguarding reports
There are calls for the Archbishop of Wales to resign after two critical reports highlighted safeguarding concerns and misbehaviour at a north Wales cathedral.
The report included complaints about a "culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred", inappropriate language being used and alcohol consumed excessively.
The Church in Wales acknowledged safeguarding weaknesses, management practices lacking in rigour and transparency, and misconduct relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour at Bangor Cathedral.
The Most Reverend Andrew John offered his "most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down".
The Church in Wales said it had created an implementation group to ensure the issues are addressed.
The full reports have not been published, but summaries were posted on the Church of Wales' website.
Since the publication of the summaries, there is dismay in some quarters about a perceived lack of detail and candour into the church's response.
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Despite repeated requests for an interview with Rev Andrew John, who is both Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, BBC-produced Newyddion S4C were told the church believe the cathedral's community should be allowed to "reflect on the reports and statement without additional commentary".
John Pockett, a member of the Church in Wales for almost 70 years and previously Cathedral Steward and Intercessions leader at Llandaff Cathedral, called for the Archbishop of Wales to consider his position as head of the Church in Wales.
"The leader of the Church in Wales is at the centre of all this. He is the Archbishop, he is the leader and it has happened at his Cathedral.
"It sullies the name of the Church in Wales across the country. [Archbishop of Wales] Andy John needs to come out and state plainly what has happened."
He added there was "great concern about the future of the church across the country" and "about the lack of honesty, openness and transparency".
"We have a right to know what went on and we have a right to expect better," he said.
The Church in Wales also said an oversight board had been appointed, to scrutinise the work of the implementation group and support a new dean, who has yet to be appointed.
Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who chairs a Westminster parliamentary group on safeguarding in faith communities, has called on the church to offer a full explanation to members and the public.
"I am concerned - it's more what the reports don't say because they are quite short," she said.
"They indicate there have been issues, but we don't know what the issues are so what are the solutions?
"I would urge [the Archbishop] to come forward and speak out about what the issues have been and how they're putting them right so everybody visiting Bangor Cathedral, whether they're visiting for the day or have been there 50 years, can feel safe in that environment."
Professor Sir Malcolm Evans was a member of the Statutory Panel of the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales (IICSA inquiry) which investigated child sexual abuse in churches, schools, custodial institutions, political parties, religious groups, and children's homes, and made a series of recommendations.
Whilst child abuse is not mentioned at Bangor Cathedral, Sir Malcolm said he was concerned.
He said it was "in everyone's interest to have maximum transparency" and that it was "disappointing" they had published summaries rather than the full reports.
"One of [IICSA's] key recommendations was that audits should take place and that they should be public."
He said IICSA had praised several aspects of the Church in Wales's work at a national level, but said it was "distressing" these practices and policies at a national level do not seem to have been implemented at Bangor Cathedral.
"These are the things that genuinely and really keep people safe over time.
"It seems on the face of it that something seriously has gone wrong in translating what the policies of the Church in Wales actually are into the practice on the ground."
The Church in Wales accepted the IICSA report recommendations at the time stating it had a national online safeguarding case management and record keeping system and that relevant staff would be trained in accordance with their procedural guidance.
In relation to Bangor Cathedral, it said that the formation of an implementation group and oversight board demonstrated the church's determination to follow the IICSA report's guidance and upholding the highest standards in relation to safeguarding, governance and behaviour.
The chair of the Chapter of Bangor Cathedral, the Ven David Parry, said it was committed to taking the recommendations forward as matters of urgency, adding: "Significant changes are already under way.
"We recognise that it will take time to heal some relationships and build trust."
In a statement, the Rev Andrew John said the failings can only cause the "deepest sorrow" to all who take part in, and who care about, the church.
He said: "It is because of my concern about the issues which had been reported to me that I requested the visitation report and the safeguarding review.
"Those reports contain much that gives us cause for concern, they also, through the recommendations, identify a way forward by which those matters can be resolved."
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