A statement from Bishop Helen-Ann following last night’s Channel 4 News report:
I was shocked and appalled at the news reported by Channel 4 on Tuesday evening regarding the Bishop of Liverpool. Yet again failures at the heart of the institution of the Church of England, and specifically by its leadership, undermine credibility and confidence in the church. It also saps the morale of local mission and ministry: in parishes, chaplaincies and schools, our Cathedral, and other contexts, and leaves the people and clergy of the church rightly angered and deeply concerned.
I am with you all in solidarity, dismay and concern at this time.
I have already spoken out in the strongest of terms about safeguarding failures and do so again. My views have not changed including those regarding the position of the Archbishop of York.
I am pleased that as a diocese we are nearing completion of the implementation of the recommendations of our Independent Safeguarding Review. I wish to thank all those who work diligently at local level to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding.
I acknowledge the ongoing trauma that the failures of the institution of the church and its leadership is having on victims and survivors of abuse, and I pay tribute to the courage and bravery of so many.
Finally, as the CNC process for Liverpool was held in proximity to that for this diocese, and the report on Tuesday evening alleging a failure in the safeguarding-assessment process for Liverpool, I wish to place on record assurance that I did not fail any part of the safeguarding assessments as part of the process to be appointed Bishop of Newcastle. I was told repeatedly that failure in this area would mean automatic disqualification from being considered for a diocesan role. I am therefore personally dismayed by that aspect of the Channel 4 reporting.
This comes with my shared sorrow but my immense gratitude for all that is happening in mission and ministry across our diocese.
I am personally nearing the end of an extended period of leave, and I am very much looking forward to being at our Cathedral on Sunday to celebrate the Feast of Candlemas. May the light of Christ illuminate the path before us in wisdom, love, grace and mercy as together we continue to seek God’s guidance in all that we do.
+Helen-Ann Newcastle
January 29th 2025.