CHURCH OF ENGLAND APPOINTS NEW SAFEGUARDING LEADER AFTER ABUSE SCANDAL
The Church of England announced on November 12, 2025, that Bishop Robert Springett of Tewkesbury will become the new Lead Safeguarding Bishop, replacing Bishop Joanne Grenfell when her three year term ends in March 2026.
Bishop Springett currently serves as Deputy Lead for Safeguarding and chairs the Theology and Safeguarding Group. He played a central role in overseeing the Church's response to the Makin and Scolding reviews, which exposed significant safeguarding failures within the Church of England related to abuse committed by British lawyer John Smyth.
The Makin Report, published in November 2024, detailed physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks Smyth committed against young victims he met at youth camps connected to the Church of England. The report's findings led to the resignation of former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby due to his delayed actions on the allegations.
Bishop Springett will work alongside National Director of Safeguarding Alexander Kubeyinje and the National Safeguarding Team. In his new role, he will chair the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the delegated House of Bishops body responsible for making national safeguarding decisions.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell stated, "I am grateful to Bishop Robert, who in his work as Deputy Safeguarding Bishop, has worked closely with victims and survivors on our responses to key recommendations. He is clearly committed to seeking change to our safeguarding culture and practice."
Bishop Springett said, "Safeguarding should not be seen as a burden, but embraced with joy for the opportunity it offers to serve others. Through my involvement in the Scolding and Makin reviews, I have learned a great deal from victims and survivors, wisdom that will continue to shape and inform all that I seek to do in this new role."
Bishop Joanne Grenfell will transition to Deputy Safeguarding Bishop and will speak on safeguarding issues in the House of Lords once she becomes a member in January 2026.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
The Church of England covered up child abuse for decades.
John Smyth brutalized children at church camps. Leaders knew. They did nothing. The Archbishop of Canterbury resigned in disgrace.
Now they appoint another bishop to fix what institutional rot destroyed.
Committees don't protect children. Character does. The Church of England sacrificed both on the altar of reputation management.
This isn't about safeguarding policies. It's about a church that chose silence over justice, protecting predators instead of the innocent.
Words about "healthy cultures" ring hollow when the institution failed its most basic duty: defending the defenseless.
We demand better Churches for the abused.
TAKE ACTION
1. Demand transparency: Contact the Church of England directly and demand full public accountability for all abuse cases at communications@churchofengland.org.
2. Support survivors: Donate to MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) at www.macsas.org.uk, which supports victims of church abuse.
3. Advocate for reform: Contact your local Anglican diocese and demand independent oversight of all abuse allegations, not internal church investigations.
