Leaders of the Rochester Diocesan Synod have responded to a letter from the Archbishops' Council.
The letter was published by the Council following the backing of a motion of 'no confidence' by Diocesan Synod (December 2024), in the Archbishops' Council's oversight of safeguarding.
Brought by the Rev Nathan Ward, Vicar of St Margaret's Rainham, the motion urged 'the necessary reforms to be taken to restore trust, safeguard the vulnerable, and uphold the Church’s moral and legal responsibilities'.
Following the motion, the trustees of the Archbishops' Council published a letter of response.
In their letter, they acknowledged the profound hurt caused to survivors of abuse by the actions of John Smyth and the Church’s failings in its response.
They also emphasised their commitment to addressing these issues, and invited further dialogue with the Rochester Diocesan Synod to better understand their concerns.
Bishop Jonathan, and the Lay and Clergy Chairs of Synod, have now each responded to the Archbishops' Council.
In his letter, Bishop Jonathan particularly addresses his reasons for supporting the motion. Read Bishop Jonathan's letter
In a response from the Chairs of Houses, the Rev Canon Jeremy Blunden, Chair of the House of Clergy, and Mrs Sarah Poole, Chair of the House of Laity, outlined the scope and range of debate that had taken place, and how it had expressed the 'urgent need for the voices of victims and survivors to be set at the spiritual centre of the approach to safeguarding.'
They welcomed the Council's invitation for further dialogue.
Read the letter from the Chairs of Houses