The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Mark Tanner, has expressed his “heartfelt sadness and sorrow” at the pain and distress experienced by some connected to mother and baby homes with the Church of England – and appealed for anyone affected to get in touch.
Organisations operating between 1912-1980s with affiliation to the Diocese of Chester included St Hilda’s in Crewe and Chester’s St Bridget’s Mother and Baby Home, as well as homes in Handforth, Birkenhead, Hoylake and Warrington.
Bishop Mark said: “It is deeply distressing to read the report detailing some of the historic adoption practices in homes affiliated with the Church of England.
“We rejoice with families that were brought together by the work of these agencies and give thanks for every act of kindness and care; at the same time as being horrified by the bad practices highlighted in the report.
“Six organisations have been identified within the Diocese of Chester, and we are concerned to understand as much as possible about the practices in these homes.
“We invite those with lived experience of these organisations, as mothers, adopters, adoptees, wider family relatives, or perhaps those who were employed in these homes, to be in touch if they would like to have a conversation.”
His comments followed the Church of England’s apology for its role where historical adoption practices “fell short” of the standard expected today, particularly in mother and baby homes.
The Church said the practices and societal attitudes of the time placed “immense pressure” on unmarried mothers, often leaving them with little choice but to place their babies for adoption.
Bishop Mark said: “We are seeking to learn about the life and work of these homes, both factual information and personal stories and experiences of those affected.
“We want to help the communities of this diocese understand what has happened, offer support where appropriate, and engage humbly with the deep questions it raises.
“We also want to continue to pray for, and support where appropriate, all those offering fostering and adoption services today: their work and professionalism is a vital gift of security to many of the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Giving the apology on behalf of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said: “We are profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced – and still carried – by many people because of historical adoption practices in homes affiliated to the Church of England.
“We have heard firsthand the accounts of mothers who were separated from their babies in circumstances where they had very few meaningful choices.
“We know that many women and girls were at times made to carry out menial and manual work as a form of ‘correction’.
“We also recognise where prejudice – including on the grounds of race and disability – shaped and defined experiences and outcomes.
“We are listening to the voices of people affected. They have told us about the pain, shame and indignity experienced both then and now.”
To report abuse or harm linked to mother and baby or adoption practices, contact the police on 101.
To share experiences, email adoption@chester.anglican.org or complete a form via the website looking for “Archbishop Sarah apologises for historic adoption practices in the Church of England”.
