IICSA Inquiry - Anglican Church investigation 1 July 2019 1 Monday, 1 July 2019 1 I made five recommendations arising from the evidence we 2 (10.00 am) 2 have already heard. 3 Welcome and opening remarks by THE CHAIR 3 Today marks the start of the final public hearing in 4 THE CHAIR: Good morning, everyone. I am Alexis Jay and I'm 4 this investigation into the response of 5 the chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual 5 the Anglican Church to child sexual abuse, including 6 Abuse. 6 both the Church of England and the Church in Wales. 7 With me are the other panel members of the inquiry: 7 This hearing will be thematic in nature. The 8 Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, Ivor Frank and 8 evidence to be called will be focused upon exploring the 9 Drusilla Sharpling. 9 current safeguarding practices within the 10 On behalf of the inquiry, I welcome you all to the 10 Anglican Church. 11 first day of the third substantive hearing into the 11 On behalf of the inquiry, I am, as always, grateful 12 Anglican Church investigation. The hearing will run for 12 to all core participants and their legal teams for their 13 ten days, finishing on Friday, 12 July. 13 assistance. I know that a great deal of work has gone 14 As you all know, the task of the chair and panel of 14 into preparing witness statements and providing 15 the inquiry is to examine the extent to which public and 15 disclosure. 16 private institutions in England and Wales have failed to 16 To complainants, victims and survivors who have 17 protect children from sexual abuse in the past and to 17 provided witness statements or who are to be called to 18 make meaningful recommendations to keep children safe 18 give live evidence before the inquiry during this 19 today and in the future. 19 hearing, we are grateful to you for coming forward to 20 Last year, the inquiry held two public hearings for 20 tell the inquiry about your experiences, and we are 21 this investigation into the Diocese of Chichester case 21 conscious of the strength and courage that this 22 study and the response to allegations against 22 required, and I want to assure you of the high priority 23 Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Lewes and 23 that the inquiry places on this investigation and on 24 Bishop of Gloucester. The inquiry published a report in 24 hearing your experiences. 25 these case studies in May 2019 in which the panel and 25 Before we hear from leading counsel to the inquiry, Page 1 Page 2 1 Ms Fiona Scolding QC, who will introduce the 1 anonymity. If there is any inadvertent breach of 2 representatives present and open this case study, some 2 a restriction order, I will ask that the simultaneous 3 points on the arrangements. 3 recording be stopped momentarily so that the issue can 4 We will sit each day from 10.00 am. Ordinarily, we 4 be addressed as appropriate. 5 will take a 15-minute break at around 11.45 am. On days 5 That concludes my initial comments, and I will 6 when we are sitting early, we may take an earlier break 6 invite Ms Scolding to go ahead. 7 during the morning. We will break for lunch at 1.00 pm, 7 Opening statement by MS SCOLDING 8 returning at 2.00 pm and we intend to sit until around 8 MS SCOLDING: Chair and panel, I am Fiona Scolding, senior 9 4.15 pm each day. 9 counsel to this Anglican investigation. Seated to my 10 By way of a hearing timetable, we rely on the agenda 10 left are Ms Nikita McNeill and Ms Lara McCaffrey, junior 11 which sets out when witnesses are to be called, save for 11 counsel. 12 where unforeseen circumstances require any change to be 12 I now turn to introduce the other core participants. 13 made. 13 To my right are solicitor and counsel for the 14 The hearing transcript is recorded simultaneously on 14 complainants, victims and survivors represented by 15 screens throughout the room and will be published at the 15 Slater & Gordon, Mr Richard Scorer of Slater & Gordon 16 end of each day on the inquiry website, and any 16 and Mr Iain O'Donnell of counsel. 17 directions arising from the day's hearing will also be 17 Next to them, counsel for the complainants, victims 18 published on the website. 18 and survivors represented by Switalskis, 19 There are anonymity arrangements in place for some 19 Mr David Greenwood, solicitor, and Mr William Chapman of 20 witnesses who will be giving evidence throughout the 20 counsel. 21 hearing. Ciphering and redactions have also been used 21 Turning behind me, representing the 22 in relation to the evidence in accordance with the 22 Archbishops' Council, Mr Nigel Giffin QC. Next to him, 23 inquiry's redaction protocol and restriction order, both 23 counsel for the Church in Wales, Mr Mark Powell QC. 24 of which are also available on the website, except for 24 Turning to the benches on the other side, at the 25 complainant witnesses who have waived their right to 25 rear bench, one has Mr Rory Phillips QC, who is counsel Page 3 Page 4 1 (Pages 1 to 4) Epiq Europe Ltd www.epiqglobal.com Lower Ground, 20 Furnival Street (+44)207 4041400 [email protected] London EC4A 1JS IICSA Inquiry - Anglican Church investigation 1 July 2019 1 for the Ecclesiastical Insurance Office. To the bench 1 The themes to be examined during this hearing are as 2 in front is Mr James Berry, counsel for the National 2 follows: firstly, the views of victims and survivors as 3 Police Chiefs. And last, but by no means least, counsel 3 to the failures of the church and what steps they 4 for the Department of Education, Ms Emily Wilsden. 4 consider should be taken to improve safeguarding 5 There are no preliminary matters which the core 5 practice and procedures. 6 participants wish to raise. 6 Second, an examination of the appropriateness of 7 The aim of these hearings is to examine whether the 7 reparations made by the church and the role of insurers 8 Church of England and the Church in Wales is currently 8 in civil claims. 9 giving sufficient priority to keeping children safe so 9 Thirdly, the current safeguarding practices and 10 that churches are places of welcome and the voices of 10 policies of the Church of England and the 11 those who have difficult things to say about past 11 Church in Wales and steps they plan to take in the near 12 actions of the Church of England and the Church in Wales 12 future. 13 are heard and acted upon. 13 Fourthly, whether the current structure for 14 This investigation has already heard a significant 14 safeguarding in both the Church of England and the 15 amount of evidence and received written statements and 15 Church in Wales is fit for purpose. 16 documentation about the Church of England during the 16 Fifthly, how the churches' handling of non-recent 17 course of the hearings, both into the Diocese of 17 allegations of abuse and allegations made against 18 Chichester and the former Bishop of Gloucester, 18 deceased clergy are managed. 19 Peter Ball, which will be used during these two weeks, 19 Lastly, the current system for external scrutiny and 20 where relevant and informative. We seek, in this 20 whether it is capable of highlighting deficiencies in 21 hearing, to build upon that which we have already 21 policies or practice. 22 learnt. To remind everyone, when I talk about "the 22 Behind all these specific areas lies the largest 23 church" in these opening remarks, I will mean, for the 23 question of all, which is whether the current culture of 24 first part of my opening, the Church of England, and 24 the Church of England and the Church in Wales is capable 25 then the Church in Wales, and sometimes both churches. 25 of dealing appropriately with these issues. Culture, as Page 5 Page 6 1 the Bishop of Blackburn said in the letter to clergy 1 When we refer to a clerical title or a term of art 2 issued on 17 June 2019, is made up of structures, 2 during this hearing, I will seek to explain it in 3 decisions and appointments. Part of this hearing will 3 layperson's language, or ask the witness to do so. 4 be spent examining casework recently carried out in 4 As at previous hearings, we refer to individuals 5 dioceses across both England and Wales to see if the 5 where abuse has been proven either by way of criminal 6 culture has indeed changed to one where priority is 6 conviction, civil findings or findings in the context of 7 accorded to the priority of children, rather than the 7 disciplinary or regulatory proceedings, as victims or 8 reputation of the church and those within it. 8 survivors. In circumstances where there have been no 9 Most of you in this room are more than familiar with 9 such findings, individuals are referred to as 10 the language and terminology associated with both the 10 complainants. 11 Church of England and the Church in Wales. For the 11 We will spend part of these hearings listening to 12 benefit of those who are less so, when I mention the 12 the voices of complainants, victims and survivors.