from Anglican Futures
In June 2019, Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe’s, Oxford spoke to the Proclamation Trust’s Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA) about the abuse perpetrated by one of the organisation’s founders, Jonathan Fletcher. He assured those gathered that:
“Serious questions will need to be asked about what went on and how it was able to continue. To the extent we have been complicit in a culture which allowed this to happen, real and deep repentance will be needed. Change will be necessary.”
He was right.
Two years later, in March 2021, Thirtyone:eight published a Lessons Learned Review concerning Jonathan Fletcher and Emmanuel Church Wimbledon. In response, Roberts, wrote:
“Over the last couple of years I have sought to examine my own heart before the Lord for personal blind spots and failings and recognise that I still have much to learn.
It has been important to allow the Thirtyone:eight review to finish its work. This will now provide a basis for ongoing critical reflection and action within our constituency. I will do all I can to support this. While grateful for so much that has been good, I recognise the need for significant ongoing cultural examination and change. Given that I come from, and have been a leader within, the background and network that has had a major influence in shaping the culture, I am conscious of the need first and foremost to lament, listen, learn and repent, rather than taking a lead in this process.”
Lament, listen, learn and repent. Again, Roberts was right and he was also not alone. Many other conservative evangelical individuals and institutions put out statements immediately after the review was published: