Welcome to our churches

SAFEGUARDING

Victoria Kellett is the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer for the Peterborough Diocese. Enquiries may be made at safeguarding@peterborough-diocese.org.uk.

Our parishes' safeguarding officer is Jane Lynds. The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser's contact details can be found here where you can also see how to view our safeguarding policy. The Diocesan contact details can be found here.

RESIGNATION OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

A message from Father David to the people of the South Cleley benefice

This week has been a very dark one for the Church of England.  We heard on Tuesday that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, had decided to resign, following a recently published report in which it was clear that he had failed to act as he should have done when he learnt some nine or ten years ago that a lay minister in the Church had, over a number of years, subjected large numbers of young men to sexual, physical and mental abuse.

Safeguarding is a very important matter in today’s society, and we are more conscious than was generally the case a generation or so ago of the variety of ways in which people can inflict damage upon others, especially children and young people.  We are rightly horrified when this happens in the Church, and the temptation is always to sweep under the carpet instances of abuse – especially sexual abuse, which most of us would prefer not to think about or talk about.

Yet Christian leaders must be above reproach, and it seems that the Archbishop was at fault in concealing at least part of the truth in the case which has been under review.  He was not the only one to do so, and in a world where the ‘blame culture’ is so often predominant there have been predictable calls for others, including other bishops, to hand in their resignations as well.  When we are faced with disturbing events, especially scandalous behaviour on the part of fellow Christians, it is always tempting to seek scapegoats, but the task of the Church now is, I believe, a much harder one, and it is one in which we all have a part to play.

We must work night and day to ensure that our churches are safe places – open to all, and welcoming to all, but nevertheless free from any suspicion of abusive, co-ercive or controlling behaviour.  The law rightly requires that each parish must appoint a Safeguarding Officer, and that everyone with an active role in the life of the Church – ministers, pastoral visitors, volunteers, church council members, and others besides – must take part in regular safeguarding training.  No one can be exempt from this.

But it is not just a question of keeping on the right side of the law.  The very nature and integrity of our Church has been called into question this week, and we are hurt and dismayed because our chief shepherd has been found lacking in some respects, and has resigned in shame.  But the real chief shepherd, Jesus the Good Shepherd, will never be found lacking, and will always be ready to heal and restore, to forgive and renew.  To some extent we are all of us judged and humbled by this week’s events, but it is never too late to seek the grace of God for a new beginning.   

14th November 2024

BENEFICE NEWS

Unfortunately we are still in vacancy - that is, we do not have a Rector of our own. We are fortunate to have the help of a number of visiting priests led by the Ven. David Painter and we also have a ministry team. Please direct any correspondence to our administrator at admin@southcleley-benefice.org.uk.