“Courage in the Face of Crisis”: Bishop of Newcastle Praised for Exposing Church Safeguarding Failures

In a bold and unprecedented move, Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle has emerged as a leading voice for accountability in the Church of England’s handling of safeguarding, earning high praise from Professor Alexis Jay, the former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Writing in an open letter published by the Survivors’ Trust, Professor Jay, along with a coalition of lawyers, survivors, and advocates, lauded the Bishop for her courage in challenging the Church’s entrenched failings and urged others to follow her example in prioritizing the safety of children and vulnerable adults.

The letter described Bishop Hartley as “courageous” and commended her for her outspoken criticism of the Church’s response to the damning findings of the Makin Review into abuse by the late Christian barrister John Smyth. Hartley has since called for sweeping reforms, including the resignation of the Archbishop of York after revelations that he allowed a known child abuser to remain in ministry. She has also advocated for dismantling the Church’s “old boys’ network” and implementing fully independent safeguarding processes—a recommendation previously outlined by Professor Jay’s report, which the General Synod controversially rejected last year.

A Call for Radical Reform

The open letter issued a stark warning: “Radical change is imperative if the Church of England is to meet even secular standards of safeguarding.” It highlighted the alarming fact that the Church oversees 4,600 schools and educates more than one million children, emphasizing the urgent need for safeguarding practices that prioritize transparency and accountability. The signatories pointed out that recent events have led to unprecedented calls for the resignation of not one, but two archbishops, both linked to failures in protecting children and vulnerable adults—an alarming milestone in the Church’s 900-year history.

This moment has been described as a watershed for the Church, with many insisting it can no longer sidestep responsibility. “We support the Bishop of Newcastle’s efforts to highlight these failures and thank her for the courage it has taken,” the letter stated, urging leaders to heed Hartley’s example to rebuild trust and ensure the safety of all under the Church’s care. As the Church grapples with its tarnished legacy, Bishop Hartley’s resolute stand could mark the beginning of a much-needed transformation within one of the UK’s most influential institutions.