Carey’s treatment

SIR – Following the letters (July 12 and July 14) on the treatment of Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Charles Moore’s article last Saturday, I would like to point out that Dame Moira Gibb’s review into the Church of England’s handling of the Peter Ball case has been received with the gravity and respect it deserves.

Ball abused boys and men for over 20 years and the Church failed to respond. One survivor of Ball went on to take his own life. On the day of publication, Lord Carey issued a statement apologising for his lack of action. The extent and nature of the criticism in the report meant that the Church had a duty to respond. Some have said the Church’s response has not been strong enough, while others have criticised us for scapegoating individuals.

It is worth remembering that the primary purpose of this independent review is to learn lessons in order to help the Church improve its safeguarding practices. It is poignant that in chapter four, entitled “People at the centre of this review”, Dame Moira puts those who were abused by Ball first in her narrative.

Rt Rev Peter Hancock

Bishop of Bath & Wells