The CofE cannot mark its own homework when it comes to safeguarding

To the bewilderment of many, the General Synod has voted against transferring oversight of its safeguarding to an independent body, a decision that George Pitcher says has shown it is well past time to purge the CofE of its hypocrisy

The General Synod is very often called the Church of England’s parliament. But it really isn’t. A parliament has a government and a party or parties of opposition. At synod, there are opposing voices, but they’re all essentially meant to be on the same side.

This may provide an apt explanation as to why — extraordinarily to many minds outside of it — synod has just voted overwhelmingly against oversight for its safeguarding being transferred to a separate, secular regulatory body. Or, more accurately, it has voted by substantial majority for an amendment that diocesan and cathedral safeguarding be retained for the time being until legal options are further explored.

This decision has been variously described as disappointing, capricious, complacent and “a kick in the guts” to survivors of sexual and other abuses by the Church, fresh instances of which seem to come around as regularly as the Church’s liturgical seasons.