From the desk of Archbishop Anne Germond
Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
November 26th, 2024
Dear member of the Anglican Church of Canada,
Thank you for reaching out to me in response to my statement on the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury with your own concerns regarding colleagues who have relayed experiences of sexual abuse within our church to you.
In my position as Acting Primate of Canada I am only able to take direct action in respect of alleged sexual abuse as the canons permit. It is not within the purview of the Primate to become involved in allegations about events within dioceses.
The Anglican Church of Canada must do everything it can to make the church a safe place for everyone and that includes the safe reporting of abuses.
Dioceses within the Anglican Church of Canada have procedures and protocols in place when accusations of sexual abuse are reported. Most dioceses display those processes on their website in order to be completely transparent. One of the first steps that will be mentioned in a process such as this, is for the alleged abuse to be reported to the local police authorities who are able to respond swiftly. Remember that here is no statute of limitations in reporting incidences of sexual abuse in Canada. I encourage your friend to take this step. Alternatively, I encourage your friend, if they have not already done so, to be in touch with the Canon Pastor of their diocese so that they may be supported in making a complaint.
This is the best advice that I can provide at this time. Thank you for your patience in waiting for me to respond to your letter of last week. May the coming Advent season be filled with hope and expectation as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yours faithfully,
+Anne
