Church of England to Apologise for Role in Historical Forced Adoption

The Church of England is set to issue an apology for its part in historical forced adoptions, as revealed by the BBC. These adoptions, which occurred over three decades following World War Two, saw tens of thousands of infants separated from their mothers due to their unmarried status. The Church operated approximately 100 mother and baby homes nationwide, effectively isolating young, unmarried women from public view.

A Personal Account of Harsh Conditions

Jan Doyle, one of the affected mothers, recounted the grueling environment of a Kent-based home in 1963. At just 16, she was sent there after an unplanned pregnancy. “If the floors needed washing, we would have to crawl on our hands and knees, even while pregnant,” she said. “I remember being on my hands and knees the day before my son was born.” Her child, David, was taken shortly after birth. The two were reunited after 63 years, and they now maintain a regular connection.

“We are deeply sorry for the pain and trauma carried by many women and children in Church-associated mother and baby homes,” the Church stated in an early draft of its apology. “We acknowledge the lifelong impact of these experiences and the part we played in a system shaped by harmful attitudes.”

Parliamentary Investigation and Systemic Impact

A parliamentary committee, following a 2021 BBC report, found that around 185,000 babies were involved in forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976. While some mothers were housed in Church-run homes, others were part of institutions managed by different religious and welfare groups. Dr. Michael Lambert, a researcher at Lancaster University, noted the apology could shift public perception from one of sin and shame to recognition of systemic harm.

Apologies from Other Institutions

The Church of England joins a list of institutions apologising for their roles in forced adoptions. In 2016, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, addressed the “hurt caused” by Catholic adoption agencies. Similarly, the Scottish and Welsh governments issued apologies in 2023. However, the UK government has yet to formally acknowledge its part in the process.

During testimony to the Education Select Committee, Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister admitted the state “had a role” in historical forced adoptions. He stated that describing the issue as merely a product of societal actions was insufficient and that a comprehensive apology was “urgent.” The BBC has sought the government’s response to this development.

Hope and Caution

Advocates for the affected families welcome the Church’s gesture, though Jan Doyle remains cautious. She expressed the need for an apology that feels sincere and credible. “It was wicked the way they treated us,” she said. “So the apology has to be heartfelt—something that really stands up.” Her perspective highlights the ongoing demand for accountability, not just from religious bodies but also from the broader institutions that supported these practices.