In my house, we often quote Spiderman’s Uncle Ben who told him, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This adage shaped the life of a young superhero. It also reflects the calling of every leader in the church.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is arguably the most powerful leader in the Anglican Communion. Earlier this week, he resigned after being implicated in a decades-long abuse cover up in the Church of England. We don’t know for sure the extent of his knowledge of, or cooperation with, the abuser in question (a lay leader named John Smyth)—it has been suggested that the archbishop’s error was one of inadequate response to the abuse as opposed to active enablement of it. Either way, his and others’ failure to safeguard the church’s youngest members is egregious and must be addressed.
Not all of us hold visible positions of leadership like the archbishop. Most of us are not even ordained ministers. But as adults in the church, we do all have influence and power. And we are all called to use that power in the service of those who are smaller, and more vulnerable, than we are.
It would be easy to point fingers at another church or leader “over there” for getting this wrong. But the truth is that no denomination, including our own, is immune to making these mistakes. This is one reason why the ACNA is giving special attention to safeguarding this year. Over the summer, our bishops passed a measure requiring every diocese to adopt a safeguarding policy for children and adults in the church. Every pastor, vestry member, Sunday school teacher, and youth volunteer must be taught how to prevent and respond to potential abuse and misconduct. At The Vine, we are committed to following these best practices as a central part of our ministry.
I am leading the diocesan team that will be drafting a policy for North and South Carolina churches to learn and adopt. Please pray for me and for all involved in this work. Pray for abuse survivors in the Church of England and in all places as they seek healing and closure. Pray for the leaders who failed them. All of us—perpetrators and victims—are made in God’s image. All of us are offered measureless grace. And all of us are called to do better for the sake of those who come after us.
Hannah+
PS- If this news raises questions for you, or is stirring up distress from your own experience of abuse, please know that all of The Vine clergy are available to talk, listen to your story and/or pray with you.