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Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- The Church of England has issued a formal apology to birth mothers and children affected by historical forced adoptions, expressing profound sorrow for its role in running about 100 mother and baby homes between 1949 and 1976.
- Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullaly acknowledged the pain, trauma, and stigma experienced by victims, emphasizing that the shame lies with the Church, not the mothers.
- A Church report revealed harsh attitudes toward unmarried mothers at the time, describing them as inadequate and highlighting poor conditions and punitive treatment in the homes.
- The Adult Adoptee Movement criticized the apology as insufficient, noting it lacked admission of wrongdoing and recognition of specific harms.
- The UK government has confirmed it will issue a full state apology soon for its role in the forced adoption practice, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson indicating the prime minister will address this historical issue.
