Church Abuse Trust: Archbishop Mullally Vows Strong Reforms

Published: 10 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Church of England faces renewed scrutiny as Archbishop Sarah Mullally vows to rebuild church abuse trust and public confidence. The focus on safeguarding has intensified under Archbishop Mullally’s leadership, reflecting the urgent need to confront past failings in handling abuse allegations. She emphasised that transparency and accountability will form the cornerstone of her approach, stating that victims and survivors must be central in all church procedures to strengthen church abuse trust. Her appointment follows the resignation of Justin Welby, whose leadership was criticised after the mishandling of high-profile abuse claims.

Addressing the General Synod in London, Archbishop Mullally outlined her commitment to proper independence in dealing with complaints. She acknowledged that previous efforts had “fallen tragically short” and pledged to establish robust processes to handle allegations. Safeguarding, she insisted, is a “fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility” sharpened by the church’s history of failings and by the ongoing need for improvement. Her vision centres on transparency, trauma-informed procedures, and responsive action that prioritises survivors’ voices above institutional protection, aiming to rebuild church abuse trust fully.

Mullally’s approach to safeguarding seeks to balance pastoral care with rigorous accountability. She stated that proper processes around appointments, conduct guidelines, and whistleblowing mechanisms are crucial to the institution’s health. The archbishop admitted that while progress has been made, complacency is unacceptable, and the church must maintain a vigilant and proactive stance. By committing to openness and integrity, Mullally aims to restore confidence and demonstrate the church’s willingness to learn from mistakes, reinforcing church abuse trust in every parish.

Her elevation to archbishop followed extensive discussions across the Anglican Communion, coming fourteen months after Justin Welby resigned over failings linked to John Smyth, a former barrister convicted of brutal assaults on boys. Welby’s resignation exposed systemic weaknesses in the church’s handling of abuse complaints, highlighting the urgent need for reform at the highest levels. Archbishop Mullally’s tenure is thus being closely watched as a test of whether the church can meaningfully rebuild church abuse trust after historic failings.

During her address, Mullally reflected on her background as a former NHS chief nursing officer, noting how her vocational journey as nurse, priest, and bishop shaped her pastoral philosophy. She described her ministry as rooted in service and compassion, asserting that the church must model care for all, particularly the vulnerable. This ethos informs her safeguarding strategy, designed to ensure victims are heard, protected, and supported, strengthening church abuse trust across the UK and the Anglican Communion.

Mullally also acknowledged challenges linked to her historic appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. While she has received widespread encouragement from both the UK and international Anglican community, a significant proportion of Anglicans remain opposed to female ordination. She urged unity, stressing that leadership must be grounded in calmness, consistency, and empathy, alongside a willingness to confront difficult truths. The archbishop’s ethical focus aims to cement church abuse trust while guiding the institution through a delicate period of transition.

The archbishop emphasised that addressing abuse is part of a broader moral mission. She spoke of the church’s responsibility to confront inequality, injustice, and societal volatility while promoting hope and resilience. Mullally framed this mission as a practical demonstration of faith, stating that confronting difficult realities with compassion and integrity strengthens both the church and its wider community, reinforcing church abuse trust as a core institutional value.

Recent scrutiny also surrounds Mullally’s handling of a 2020 complaint against a London priest, which the Church of England decided required no further action. Despite this, she expressed humility at her appointment and awareness of the responsibility it entails. The archbishop committed to leading with courage, ensuring that future safeguarding efforts are rigorous, transparent, and survivor-centred, consistently nurturing church abuse trust.

As the church moves forward under her guidance, Archbishop Mullally’s pledge to integrate safeguarding into every aspect of ecclesiastical governance represents a transformative effort. It aims not only to address the failings of the past but to build a model for ethical leadership that other institutions might follow. Her commitment to transparency, integrity, and survivor-centred practices marks a defining moment in the Church of England’s ongoing journey to restore church abuse trust and moral authority.

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