A statement from Bishop Rachel

A statement from the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Rachel Treweek on the Independent Peter Ball review, ‘An Abuse of Faith’, produced by Dame Moira Gibb.

 Thursday 22 June 2017

“I have read Dame Moira’s report and am greatly shocked and distressed by its content. The report presents a devastating account of Peter Ball’s abuse and it is a matter of deep shame and regret that a Bishop in the Church of England committed such horrendous crimes and that as a Church we repeatedly failed to act and protect those who came forward for help.

“I feel immensely sad that Neil Todd took his own life and is not with us today – I wish to commend his tenacity and courage and that of other victims and survivors.

“There are no excuses for what took place.

“The Church commissioned this review so we could learn from our failings. I, alongside my staff team, remain committed to striving for the highest level of safeguarding in the Diocese of Gloucester and making our churches the safest places they can possibly be. We will continue to work with the National Safeguarding Team and act upon the recommendations made in the report.

“Any survivors or those with information about church-related abuse must know that they will be listened to in confidence, with genuine openness and empathy.”

Ends

For more information contact:

Lucy Taylor, Head of Communications, 01452 835515, 07811 174125, ltaylor@glosdioc.org.uk

The report can be found here –http://ift.tt/2sX4jTL