Church apology over Bishop George Bell abuse inquiry
from BBC News:
The Church of England has apologised to the relatives of a bishop for the way it investigated child abuse claims made against him decades after his death.
Former Bishop of Chichester George Bell, who died in 1958, was alleged to have repeatedly abused a young girl.
She made a formal complaint in 1995 and, 10 years later, won an apology and compensation from the Church.
A report into the handling of the case due to be published later is expected to be critical of the Church’s actions.
Ahead of the publication of Lord Carlile’s report, the current Bishop of Chichester the Right Reverend Martin Warner praised the “dignity and integrity” of Bishop Bell’s accuser, but said the Church inquiry paid “inadequate attention to the rights of those who are dead”.
Further coverage:
‘An example of human goodness’: how child abuse claims shredded George Bell’s reputation, Guardian
Anglican church ‘rushed to judgment’ in George Bell child abuse case, Guardian
George Bell review: Church’s botched handling unfairly destroyed reputation of bishop, Christian Today
Report ‘to criticise Church of England inquiry into George Bell sex abuse claim‘, Premier