Church of England to apologise for role in historical forced adoption

Church of England to Apologize for Role in Historical Forced Adoptions

The Church of England is set to issue an apology for its involvement in historical forced adoptions, the BBC has reported. These practices, which spanned three decades after World War Two, led to the separation of tens of thousands of infants from their mothers, often due to the women’s unmarried status.

During this period, the Church operated approximately 100 mother and baby homes across England. Unmarried pregnant women were frequently sent to these facilities, effectively isolating them from public view. The BBC has reviewed a preliminary version of the Church’s apology, which states, “we are deeply sorry” for the harm caused.

“If the floors needed washing, we would have to get down on our hands and knees, even though we were pregnant,” said Jan Doyle, recalling her experience in a Kent-based home. “I think I was down on my hands and knees the day before my son was born.”

Jan, who became pregnant at 16 in 1963, was placed in one such institution. Her son, David, was taken shortly after birth. After 63 years apart, they were reunited when he reached out to her, and they now maintain regular contact.

Following a 2021 BBC investigation, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) found that around 185,000 babies were affected by forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976. While some mothers were housed in Church-affiliated homes, others were under different religious or welfare organizations.

Dr. Michael Lambert, a researcher from Lancaster University, emphasized the significance of the Church’s apology. “A formal acknowledgment would greatly reshape how we perceive this era,” he noted, suggesting it could shift the narrative from one of societal judgment to one of systemic harm.

The Church of England joins other institutions in addressing their historical roles. In 2016, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster apologized for the “hurt caused” by Catholic adoption agencies. Scottish and Welsh governments also issued apologies in 2023. However, the UK government has yet to formally acknowledge its part in these practices.

Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister, testifying before the Education Select Committee last month, admitted the state “had a role” in forced adoptions. He stated that describing the events as merely societal actions was insufficient, and a “comprehensive” apology was “urgent.” The BBC has sought government comment on the matter.

“It was wicked the way they treated us, so [an apology] would have to be heartfelt—something that really did hold water,” Jan Doyle cautioned. She expressed hope for a final version of the apology before fully accepting it.