Radical change is needed

I think that Rishi Sunak is handing out as many awards as he can go his friends before his tenure at No 10 Downing Street comes to an end

A letter from R Thompson (Complete change needed, The News, April 2, 2024) puts flesh on my skeletal outline of the massive bullying cover ups decimating Anglicanism (Some dill for the collection plate, The News, March 29, 2024).

I serve as part-time medical member on a judicial panel, and came to faith (from a background of sceptical atheism) while working as a GP.

I later did a two-year 'New Wine' ministry training programme.

Post-retirement, I was commissioned as an evangelist but left my local diocese in disgust.

Savage ill-treatment impacted four adults

(of business or senior professional background). But it felt as if my formal letter of complaint (to an archbishop) might as well have been written on wet toilet tissue. Shockingly, this seems to be par for the course across modern Anglicanism.

Just read 'Letters to Broken Church' a masterfully constructed short paperback. The chapter by Ian Elliott-an international safeguarding expert is not optimistic on any fast reform of woeful standards.

The Bible says the Church is 'the pillar and foundation of the truth'. But Empty Cathedrals, not 'The Empty Tomb', define Anglicanism.

The cause of Christ is being betrayed by the immorality (or incompetence) of our archbishops and bishops. DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) has seen perpetrators venerated and countless victims vilified.

The compelling case for Independent Safeguarding is eloquently spelt out by R Thompson. The Harold Shipman murders forced a root and branch reform of UK death certification. Our bishops and archbishops need to embrace radical change on victim protection.

James Hardy by email