The Church of England has apologised for its role in historicalforced adoption practices, particularly in mother and baby homes.
Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of these experiences.
Published alongside new research into these homes, the apology recognises the impact on people affected and sets out the Church’s commitment to listening, learning and responding with honesty and compassion.
Giving the apology on behalf of the Church of England, the Most Revd Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “We are profoundly sorry 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.
“We have heard first-hand the accounts of mothers who were separated from their babies in circumstances where they had very few meaningful choices.
“We know that many women and girls were at times made to carry out menial and manual work as a form of ‘correction’.
“We also recognise where prejudice - including on the grounds of race and disability - shaped and defined experiences and outcomes.”
“We are listening to the voices of people affected. They have told us about the pain, shame and indignity experienced both then and now.
“Today, we say to each of you: the shame you were made to feel was wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, we are deeply ashamed that this happened to people in the care of Christian communities.
“All of this took place in a society that often valued secrecy and respectability over compassion and care. The Church of England was part of that society and helped to sustain those attitudes. While homes were encouraged to keep mothers and babies together, this often did not happen.
“For many mothers, children, fathers and wider families affected by these practices, the impact has been lifelong.
“These practices are in the past and must never happen again. We will not condone or repeat them. Our commitment now is to listen, to lament and to learn – to acknowledge this history and respond with openness, reflection and learning, and to ensure that this leads to change.
“We pay tribute to the people who have shared their stories and brought these personal and painful experiences to light. Their courage has helped to deepen our understanding of this history and the harm caused, and to ensure that first-hand accounts are heard.
“We want to acknowledge the important and often unseen work of organisations and charities who for many years have supported mothers, adoptees and families affected by adoption, and whose knowledge and care are invaluable.
“We pray for all people who carry these experiences, and for the grace to be a Church where everyone is treated with the love and dignity that comes from being made in God’s image.”
The Church of England has carried out research into its involvement in mother and baby homes between 1949 and 1976.
The aim of the Church of England’s work was to better understand its role within a wider system shaped by the social attitudes and laws of the time, when unmarried mothers often faced stigma and had limited support.
The research draws mainly on archival records held at Lambeth Palace Library, including material from the Church of England’s Moral Welfare Council and its successor, the Board for Social Responsibility. It also includes documents such as meeting minutes, policy papers, annual reports from homes, and guidance issued to staff and chaplains.
These records were used to understand how homes were run, how decisions were made, and how they were connected to dioceses and wider Church structures.
The research and personal testimonies show that there were examples of care and kindness in some homes and that many staff sought to provide what they believed was support in difficult circumstances.
However, many people have described experiences of harm and lasting trauma associated with their time in these settings.
Among the harms experienced by mothers and children, accounts describe people being categorised or treated differently because of physical disability or the colour of their skin, including being considered less likely to be adopted or placed into long-term institutional care.
Some testimonies speak powerfully of the lasting impact of this – including experiences of exclusion and stigma both within care settings and wider society.
If you have been affected by this news or would like to speak to someone, a range of options are listed on the Church of England's page on this issue.
This includes specialist agencies and charities, as well as details of how to contact the Church of England.