Church of England to apologise for role in historical forced adoption

Church of England to Apologise for Role in Historical Forced Adoption

The Church of England is set to issue a formal apology for its involvement in historical forced adoptions, according to a BBC report. These practices occurred over three decades following World War Two, during which approximately tens of thousands of infants were removed from their mothers due to the women’s unmarried status. The Church operated around 100 mother and baby homes across England, effectively isolating unwed pregnant women from public view.

A draft of the apology, reviewed by the BBC, states that the Church “acknowledges the lifelong impact of these experiences and the part it played in a system influenced by harmful attitudes.” One woman who experienced this system firsthand is Jan Doyle. In 1963, at just 16 years old, she was sent to a Kent-based home after an unplanned pregnancy. She described the “harsh” environment, recalling that even during her final days of pregnancy, she was forced to clean floors on her hands and knees.

“If the floors needed washing, we would have to get down on our hands and knees, even though we were pregnant,” she said. “I think I was down on my hands and knees the day before my son was born.”

Doyle’s child, David, was taken shortly after his birth. The pair reunited after 63 years when David reached out to her, and they now maintain regular contact. Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) investigated the issue after the BBC first highlighted it in 2021. The inquiry revealed that roughly 185,000 babies were affected by forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976. Not all mothers were placed in Church-run homes; some were under other religious or welfare organizations.

Apology Seen as Step Toward Changing Narrative

Dr. Michael Lambert, a researcher at Lancaster University, emphasized the significance of the Church’s apology. “It would mean a great deal to those affected,” he said. “This could shift the perception of the era from one rooted in sin and shame to one that highlights the systematic harm done to tens of thousands of women and their children.”

The Church of England will join other institutions in apologizing for their roles in forced adoptions. In 2016, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, expressed regret for the “hurt caused” by Catholic adoption agencies. The Scottish and Welsh governments also issued apologies in 2023. However, the UK government has yet to formally acknowledge its part in the process.

During testimony to the Education Select Committee last month, Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister admitted the state “had a role” in these adoptions. He argued that the situation cannot be solely attributed to societal actions. “It is not enough to describe what happened as a result of societal behavior,” he stated. “A comprehensive apology is urgently needed.”

While those impacted by forced adoptions welcome the Church’s outreach, Jan Doyle remains cautious. She insists the final apology must be “heartfelt” and “substantive.” “It was wicked the way they treated us,” she said. “So [an apology] would have to really hold water.”