Church of England to Apologise for Role in Historical Forced Adoption The Church of England is set to issue a formal apology for its role in the forced adoption of thousands of babies taken from their unmarried mothers in the decades following World War Two. The decision comes as part of an ongoing inquiry into the church's involvement in the practice, which saw tens of thousands of children forcibly removed from their families and placed in care. The inquiry, led by the Church of England, has heard testimony from survivors and experts, highlighting the devastating impact of the church's actions. According to records, the church played a significant role in the forced adoption of children, with many clergy and church officials actively encouraging the removal of babies from their mothers. This often occurred under the guise of protecting the child from perceived moral or social stigma associated with unmarried mothers. Survivors have spoken out about the trauma they experienced as a result of being forcibly adopted, with many describing the loss of their families and cultural identities as a profound and lasting impact. The apology, which is expected to be issued in the coming weeks, will acknowledge the church's role in perpetuating a system that caused "unimaginable harm" to countless families. "This was a grave injustice, perpetrated on a massive scale, and one for which we are truly sorry," said a Church of England spokesperson. "We acknowledge the hurt and trauma that has been caused to so many families, and we are committed to making amends." The apology is a significant development in the church's efforts to come to terms with its past actions. In recent years, the Church of England has taken steps to acknowledge its role in the forced adoption of children, including the establishment of a dedicated commission to investigate the issue. The commission's findings, which are expected to be published in the coming months, are likely to shed further light on the extent of the church's involvement in the practice. In the meantime, the church's apology is a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past and providing justice for those who were affected. The apology is also seen as a significant moment in the ongoing debate around adoption and family policy, with many advocates and experts calling for greater transparency and accountability in the system. As the Church of England prepares to issue its apology, survivors and experts alike are holding out hope for a more just and equitable system, one that prioritises the needs and rights of families above all else. Source: undefined. Visit the original source link below for the complete story.
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Church of England to apologise for role in historical forced adoption
Tens of thousands of babies were taken from their unmarried mothers in the three decades after World War Two.
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- Category: World · Published Wednesday, 8 April 2026 at 15:08 UTC
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