THE Methodist church issued a belated apology yesterday for its failure to properly investigate thousands of reports of sexual abuse dating back to the 1950s.

In a report, the church revealed that there had been nearly 2,000 reports of physical and sexual abuse within the institution in Britain and admitted that the church hierarchy had “not always listened properly to” nor cared for victims.

Methodist Conference general secretary Martyn Atkins described the failings as a “deep source of grief and shame” to the church.

“On behalf of the church in Britain I want to express an unreserved apology for the failure of its current and earlier processes fully to protect children, young people and adults from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by some ministers and members,” he said.

The independent review led by Jane Stacey, a former chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, identified 1,885 past cases. They included sexual, physical, emotional and domestic abuse as well as cases of neglect.

Unite, which represents faith workers, welcomed the apology but said there were other serious issues that the church was failing to address.
National officer Sally Kosky said: “There is still much they need to do to eliminate racism and bullying.

“Today’s horrific revelations add an extra sense of urgency to deal with the whole range of abuse issues. We are dealing with a number of very serious cases of racism and an epidemic of bullying within the church.”