Child abuse inquiry: 'collusion and cover-up' rife among C0E clergy

Church of England incapable of self-governance and mandatory reporting is needed, hearing told

The independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has heard a “catalogue of lamentable failures” by the Church of England over the past three weeks, including cover-up, conspiracy and the burning of documents, its presiding panel was told.

If the church was a school, “it would have been closed down a long time ago”, David Greenwood, a lawyer representing survivors, said on the final day of three weeks of hearings focusing on abuse in the diocese of Chichester.

Related: Williams: church's old views on gay clergy led to desire not to judge sexual activities

Related: Justin Welby: sexual abusers can never be trusted again

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2pz28T4