The Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen, has written an open letter to survivors following a data breach by Kennedys Law LLP who administer the Church’s Independent Redress Scheme. Bishop Philip Chaired the Redress Board, prior to the approval of the scheme at General Synod in July 2025. His letter follows:

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you with a heavy heart following the recent data breach involving the independent Redress Scheme administered by Kennedys Law LLP. This incident should never have happened. It is deeply regrettable, and I recognise the distress and sense of betrayal it has caused, particularly for those of you who placed your trust in this process.

Survivors deserve and should receive the utmost care, confidentiality, and respect. On behalf of the Church, I want to say clearly: there can be no excuses for this failure. We know that this has negatively affected people and trust has been damaged, and we grieve that this has happened.

In legal and operational terms, as you already know, Kennedys Law has accepted full responsibility for the breach and is contacting those affected directly.

Although the Church of England is not the legal data controller for the Redress Scheme and does not hold or manage the data in question, I want to be very clear that this does not lessen our moral responsibility.

Kennedys Law are conducting a full investigation which the Church of England is monitoring closely. We are in active discussions with them to ensure robust safeguards are put in place so that this cannot happen again. As I said yesterday, our trust in them is not passive; it is contingent on accountability and action.

I know that words alone cannot repair the hurt caused. What matters now is what we do next and prevent this from happening again. Our focus must be on supporting those affected and ensuring that the Redress Scheme remains robust and fit for purpose. This scheme exists to provide financial redress, therapeutic and spiritual support, and an acknowledgment of the Church’s wrongdoing. It is vital that this work continues, because survivors deserve nothing less.

If you have been impacted by what has happened, please know that support is available. Safe Spaces offers free and independent help, and our diocesan safeguarding teams are here for you. You can also contact us directly at redress@churchofengland.org where we can discuss individual support needs.

While my formal role as Chair of the Redress Board came to an end after the July Synod, I remain personally committed to working with survivors to ensure that the Church expresses its lament and repentance for the appalling ways in which victims and survivors have been treated in the past. We cannot undo the harm that has been done, but we can and must act with integrity, humility, and care as we progress.

With deep sorrow and ongoing commitment,

Philip, Bishop of Winchester