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 preparing to make a formal apology for its involvement in historical forced adoptions, as reported by the BBC. These adoptions occurred over a span of 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, where young, unmarried pregnant women were often placed to conceal their pregnancies from public scrutiny.

A Mother’s Reflection

One woman who experienced this system firsthand is Jan Doyle. At 16, she became pregnant without being married and was sent to a facility in Kent. She described the harsh treatment she endured, including forced labor while pregnant. “If the floors needed washing, we would have to get down on our hands and knees, even though we were pregnant,” she recalled. “I think I was down on my hands and knees the day before my son was born.”

“I was treated wickedly,” said Doyle. “An apology would have to be heartfelt — one that really did hold water.”

Jan’s son, David, was taken from her shortly after his birth. They were reunited after 63 years, and now maintain a regular connection. The BBC has obtained a draft of the Church’s apology, which states, “We acknowledge the lifelong impact of these experiences and the part the Church played in a system shaped by attitudes and behaviours we now recognise as harmful. For the pain and trauma experienced — and still carried — by many women and children in Church affiliated mother and baby homes, we are deeply sorry.”

Parliamentary Investigation

Following the BBC’s initial coverage in 2021, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) conducted an inquiry. The committee estimated that about 185,000 babies were affected by forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976. While some mothers were placed in Church-run homes, others were housed in facilities managed by different religious and welfare organizations.

Other Apologies and Government Response

The Church of England will join previous institutions in issuing an apology. In 2016, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, then Archbishop of Westminster, acknowledged the “hurt caused” by Catholic adoption agencies. The Scottish and Welsh governments also extended apologies in 2023. However, the UK government has yet to formally apologize, despite evidence of its indirect role in funding these homes.

“It is not good enough to describe what happened simply as a result of the actions of society,” stated Josh MacAlister, Children and Families Minister, during testimony to the Education Select Committee. “The case for a formal apology is being actively considered, and the need for a comprehensive apology is urgent.”

Advocates for the affected mothers and adoptees have long pushed for a government apology, citing state financial support for the institutions. While they welcome the Church’s outreach, some remain cautious. Jan Doyle emphasized the importance of a sincere apology, stressing that it must reflect the systemic harm inflicted on tens of thousands of women and children over decades.