Church of England apologises for role in post-war historical adoption practices
On Thursday 18 June, the Archbishop of Canterbury made a public apology on behalf of the Church of England for its role in historical adoption practices in mother and baby homes affiliated to the Church.
Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of their experiences. Published alongside new research into the homes, the apology recognises the impact on those affected and sets out the Church’s commitment to listening, learning and responding with honesty and compassion.
The full apology and the accompanying research are available on the Church of England website: Church of England apologises for role in post-war historical adoption practices.
Please note: The apology includes references to historical adoption practices, including the separation of mothers and babies, stigma and experiences of trauma and lasting emotional harm. Details of support services are included below.
Mother and baby homes in the Diocese of Salisbury
Four mother and baby homes were in operation in the Diocese of Salisbury during the period in question, 1949 – 1976*. These were:
- Girls’ Hostel, Devizes: open 1945 – 1973
- St Gabriel’s Home, Weymouth: open by 1940; removed from Register of Charities 2000
- St Monica’s, Poole: open 9 December 1944 – 31 December 1964
- Hope House, Salisbury: open by 1949, closed 1954
*The period 1949 to 1976 reflects the definition used by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which examined adoption practices affecting unmarried mothers and their children during these years, which were bookended by landmark adoption legislation.
The Right Revd Karen Gorham, Acting Bishop of Salisbury, said:
“Alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, I express my sorrow 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. This pain is still felt by many people today and has profoundly affected the course of their lives.
“The scarcity of surviving archival records has, at a distance of over 50 years, made it extremely challenging to establish the experiences of mothers and adoptees in the four mother and baby homes that operated in our diocese. The voices of those affected are also sadly missing. However, based on accounts from other parts of the country, we know it is likely that women and children would not always have been treated with the compassion or respect they deserved.
“This all took place at a different time; in a society that often valued secrecy and respectability above individual need; and where well-meaning responses so often lacked compassion and care. The Church was part of that society. These practices are in the past and will never happen again. I sincerely urge anyone connected with the historic mother and baby homes in the Diocese of Salisbury affected by their experiences or by the memories that this apology has brought to the surface, to contact the support services that are available.”
Services of Reflection
There will be two simple, services of reflection, one at St John’s Church, Devizes (SN10 1NP) and one at St Peter’s Church, Parkstone (BH14 0NN). Both services will be held on Sunday 19th July 2026 at 3pm.
Where to find support
If you have been affected by this news and need to speak to someone or seek support, there are a number of specialist organisations that can provide support and advice.
National PAC-UK Advice Line
The National PAC-UK Advice Line provides independent, confidential advice and information for people affected by adoption, special guardianship and other forms of permanent care. The service is staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors and social workers with specialist expertise in these areas.
Website: www.family-action.org.uk/pac-uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0300 1800 090
FamilyConnect Advice Line
Delivered by Family Action’s adoption support agency PAC-UK, FamilyConnect provides information, support and guidance on tracing and reconnecting with family members, the services available and whether you may be eligible for funding.
Website: www.familyconnect.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0300 1800 205
Adoption UK
Practical suggestions, information and encouragement with signposting to specialist help.
Website: www.adoptionuk.org/information-and-support-service
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0300 666 0006
These organisations also provide additional services.
Barnardo’s Adoption Support
Support for adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk/adopt/link-adoption-support-service
Email: [email protected]
Samaritans
24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
The Adoption Contact Register
Website: www.gov.uk/adoption-records/the-adoption-contact-register
Phone: 0300 123 1837
Support from the Church of England
Safe Spaces provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church
Website: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Helpline: 0300 303 1056
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the National Safeguarding Team at [email protected]
Bishop Karen first woman bishop to lead ordinations at Salisbury Cathedral
Two special services to ordain new clergy were held last weekend (27 and 28 June) at Salisbury Cathedral. The 13 candidates – six new deacons and seven new priests – will join the nearly 18,000 active clergy who serve communities across the Church of England.
In an historic first, the ordinations were carried out by the Acting Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham, marking the first time that a woman bishop has ordained priests and deacons in the 800-year history of Salisbury Cathedral. The preacher was Tom Clammer, a former precentor of the Cathedral. During Sunday’s celebratory service to ordain the six new deacons – those who have followed their calling into ministry and are being ordained for a first year as a curate – Bishop Karen observed the tradition of washing the feet of each ordinand. This symbolic act is representative of Jesus’ humility, selfless love and servant leadership. The newly ordained deacons will serve in parishes in rural and larger urban settings in Wiltshire, Dorset and Jersey, supporting other clergy and the community in pastoral work, worship and mission before being ordained as priests next summer.
New deacon Anthony Childs, who will be serving as assistant curate in Hampreston and Ferndown, spoke of his journey to ordination: “I grew up in Dagenham in East London, studied music and have a background in IT and education. But throughout that time, I felt a gentle sense of calling towards ministry, and over the past two years I’ve had the real honour of training at Sarum College in Salisbury. I’m really excited to now be joining the benefice of Hampreston and Ferndown and seeing what God is doing and joining in with his mission.”
After a year serving as deacons across the Diocese of Salisbury, seven people were ordained as priests during a joyful service on Saturday afternoon. As part of this service, their hands were anointed, symbolising that they are now in God’s hands in the world. Taking up parishes from Trowbridge to Wareham, the ordination to priesthood marks a significant step in ministry for the new priests, who are now able to lead Holy Communion services, officiate at weddings, conduct funerals and lead public worship independently.
After the services, the Rt Revd Karen Gorham said: “Ordinations are always such a source of great joy and encouragement. They are a visible reminder that God continues to call people to serve and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as ordained ministers. One of the greatest privileges of being a bishop is sharing in ordinations and I am thrilled to welcome our 13 new deacons and priests to this next stage of their vocation. Their faith, commitment and willingness to serve give me great hope for the future of the Church in our diocese, and I am excited to see where God leads them next.”
The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “‘Ordinations are joyful occasions, full of hope, as women and men respond publicly to God’s call to lifelong service of their communities. Bishop Karen’s presidency at the 2026 ordinations – the first by a woman in Salisbury Cathedral – reaffirms that God’s call is to the whole of humanity. It’s a source of profound joy.”
Images of the 2026 priest ordinations can be viewed here and images of the 2026 deacon ordinations can be viewed here.
St Edward’s Way Pilgrimage – 4/5/6 September 2026
A pilgrimage – even a small one – is a commitment to take time out from the ordinary concerns of everyday life and to engage thoughtfully and mindfully with our spirituality. So as we walk, we commit to listening deeply to one another, to the world around us and to the person we might call God.
You are invited to come on a pilgrimage. Three days – walk as much or as little as you like – as we make the journey from Wareham to Shaftesbury, following the likely route over which the body of Saint Edward was carried 1000 years ago from his original resting place at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary in Wareham to the Abbey at Shaftesbury.
A pilgrimage is not just about the destination; it’s about making the most of the journey. And so as we walk, we will just have time to have a chat, but there will also be little bits of ritual along the way: there will be times of sharing the collective wisdom of the group and there will be times of walking in silence – a chance to reflect on our place within the creation that surrounds us.
Pilgrimage has been described as ‘extroverted mysticism.’ This journey is an invitation into deep connection and hopefully it will be fun, too.
Message Hilary Bond, [email protected], if you’re interested.
